Use by dates

[LittlemissChristmas]

I've seen it mentioned somewhere that car seats have a use by date. I'm looking at a car seat for a new born. Could anyone give me more info on this, or any links? Thanks

[TheMonster]

The stuff inside starts to disintegrate after a few years so the seat doesn't offer the same level of protection. The best bet is to just not buy a second hand one.

[LittlemissChristmas]

I wasn't going to buy a used one. My SiL has a maxicosi pebble she bought in 2010 that is immaculate that she kept for me but now I've heard of the use by date I'm not sure

[TheMonster]

But that is second hand.

[peanutMD]

As long as you know it hasn't been in an accident, dropped or stored in extreme temperatures you should be fine.

Although be warned I bought a Cabriofix from a work colleague which had been used for one child (in 2010) and stored in an under stair cupboard for 18 months but when I checked the expiry it went in 2011! Turns out she had bought a discounted colour from Halfords which had been instore for atleast a year so do check to be on the safe side.

We don't drive but need a seat for the odd journey in a taxi (probably get used maximum of 20 times) so I didn't want to spend a lot but I don't want to risk it so I'm on the look for a decent budget seat.

[Clargo55]

I would buy a new one. The material used in cars seats can deteriorate in a few years, leaving the baby with insufficient protection if you were to have an accident. The car seat may have been purchases in 2010 but could have been produced in 2009 making it nearly 4 years old. Even with little use the car seat could have deteriorated significantly due to its age.

[notfarmingatthemo]

I am moving and found this that might help. Might help

[nicm]

I would use it tbh and I'm very fussy about car seats! (both ds' aged 2 & 4 are still rf) if you sil only got it in 2010 it is only 3 years old so you could use it for another 2. (think the maxi cosi expiry date is 5 years) I think the pebble was only just out before ds2 was born, in 2010. I would never use or buy a second hand car seat from a stranger but used a cabrio for ds1 that I got from a friend, but bought a new one for ds1 as it would have expired.

[5madthings]

If you know it has been well looked after and not in an accident then iut should be OK but do check the dates. I 'think' first stage car seats are good for 5-6 yes. I know we had one we used for ds1 and ds2 and then had to buy a new one for ds3 and ds4 and then we got a new one for did.

The plastic etc weakens with age, the date should be on the car seat somewhere!

[showmethetoys]

I have yet to see a single piece of independent research which proves that car seats need a 5 year expiry date, and remain convinced that it is a marketing ploy to get you to buy a new car seat for each new DC.

Ok, if a car seat was bought 10-12 years ago, then you may want to think about not using it, but if you are being offered a car seat that was bought in 2010, then you should just go for it.

What about the stage 1,2,3 car seats that are supposed to grow with your children? What is the point of those if the plastic starts to deteriorate after a couple of years?

You are not supposed to buy a second hand car seat from someone you do not know, as you dont know if it has been in a crash, but if you know for a fact that it has just had normal use, then it is fine.

Oh, and I am also quite careful about car seats. DS is in a massive Recaro extended rear facing seat after researching FF seats v RF seats. But I think that car seat expiry thing is a bit bollocks to be honest.

[Itsjustmeanon]

We bought a car seat from Amazon, but had to send it back, as the manufacture date made it four years old at time of purchase. They were selling us old stock.

I telephoned the manufacturers and they recommended five years from manufacture date.

It would have only been in a warehouse so should have still been okay, but decided I wanted one manufactured in last two years, to be on the safe side. I'd like it to last 2 children. I don't think I'll be too strict on five years, but would not keep it past 7 years.

Fingers crossed the replacement car seat is manufactured more recently.