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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Mn jury needed! Re second hand car seats

26 replies

Evilwater · 02/06/2012 08:46

Are second hand car seats ok to use?
I am expecting my first child in oct, and we don't have alot of money.
My DH found a infant car seat in the loft, and thinks this ok to use. I'm not so sure.

Please help mumsnet,
Evil

OP posts:
rainbowinthesky · 02/06/2012 08:50

I wouldn't as you don't know it's history.

SpottyTeacakes · 02/06/2012 08:51

I wouldn't either. If you want a second hand one then best to get one from someone you know

JiltedJohnsJulie · 02/06/2012 08:51

I would only use one if you know its history. The worry is that it might look ok but might have been involved in a accident and has been weakened. Having said that I have used one but it came from family and I know nothings happened to it and now I've passed it back to another family member.

You will also need to make sure that it complies with current safety standards.

RandomNumbers · 02/06/2012 08:52

what Julie said

HokeyCokeyJubileeMyArse · 02/06/2012 08:53

I don't know, i have always seen the advice that you shouldn't as you don't know if they have been damaged in an accident and so may not be as safe as it should be.

Pascha · 02/06/2012 08:57

The plastic can become brittle over time and its not something you can see. It seems fine until you have a nasty accident when the plastic just breaks. I remember something about not trusting something over about 5 or 6 years old.

I also wouldn't use second hand unless you know its history. Seats aren't designed to be used after an accident, same as helmets.

TruthSweet · 02/06/2012 09:01

No - a car seat left in a loft for an indeterminant amount of years has been exposed to massive temperature changes and the plastic will have weakened. You also don't know when it was put in the loft - infant seats have a 5-6y life (depending on manufacturer) so if it's older than that it will be unsafe.

Also you don't want a seat that may have mould growing on it, no instructions (do you know if it should be installed handle up or down? which part of the seat belt goes where?) or even if it's been recalled by the manufacturer!

You can get infant car seats from about £30 and if you got a seat like a Britax First Class (not the Nania/Baby Weavers combi seats as they only rf to 10kg) you can rf your baby to 13kg (which may be 2 1/2y!) then ff to 18kg (~4 years) for about £90 if you get one in the sale.

Shutupanddrive · 02/06/2012 09:01

No I wouldn't use it as you have no idea how old it is or if it's damaged. Where about are you op? I have a first car seat that has been used that I no longer need. I have had it from new so I know it's ok to use.

Loonytoonie · 02/06/2012 09:04

I've recently had a loft clear out and threw lots of plastic items. A few of the items were plastic, and it broke apart in my hands with the slightest of pressure. Don't risk it OP. Beg and borrow off people you know, or keep your eyes open for sales.

cutegorilla · 02/06/2012 09:09

You really can't spare £25 for a new one?

www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/productdisplayA_56_10751_-1_14572_147941_10001_14568

FWIW I would use a 2nd hand one if I knew where it was coming from (i.e. a good friend or family member) and trusted that it had been well looked after and not in a crash or anything. Not just some random one though, and I'd never buy one of someone unknown.

KitCat26 · 02/06/2012 09:12

If you can borrow one try that, but don't use a car seat you know nothing about.

I bought one on ebay and was happy to trust the seller, not everyone would do that though.

Jenny70 · 02/06/2012 09:13

No not OK.

Plastic will be brittle and not withstand a crash impact, shards of plastic could cause damage even in small impact that would be normally OK.

Could have mould in straps etc, which they suck etc.

May not be manufactured to the current approved standard.

Not a good idea. Money may be tight, but you can safely get a seat for less than a tank of petrol for your car... safety is a priority here.

Lexiesgirl · 02/06/2012 09:14

I have a second-hand car seat, it came as part of a travel system I was very kindly given by a colleague, and we were happy with it as DD is very rarely in a car. But the more I've read about them on MN the more unhappy I am with my decision, even though my friend said they'd never had a crash, and I'm thinking about getting a new one. I think if you can spare the money for a new seat then I would get one.

ToryLovell · 02/06/2012 09:19

I've passed them on to dsis but she knows the history. Not worth the risk if you don't IMO

cheaperthantherapy · 02/06/2012 09:20

Hi evil,

I understand how difficult it can be financially. We've also struggled to afford the basics thank god for nct sales!

Please don't use that seat though you don't know it's history/age.

I have a bebeconfort newborn seat with a base that you are welcome to have - are you in/near either London or Canterbury? If so you are welcome to collect it. It was used 2 years ago for 1year.

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 02/06/2012 09:22

Car seats are the one thing that I believe has to be new. Go second hand with everything else, but not that.

ValiumQueen · 02/06/2012 09:27

I have used second hand seats but only when I have known the history. I would not use that one from the loft though for the reasons others have given. My seats are now six years old and I need to buy a new one due to their age. They look fine but may not be. I will be looking on ebay and in local ads.

ErikNorseman · 02/06/2012 09:35

You can surely find one on freecycle and ask the history. I have used a 2nd hand one that was given to me and so I knew it was fine (and not too old) but I wouldn't use one of unknown provenance.

jubilucket · 02/06/2012 09:42

Another vote for accept only if you know all about it. My ddtwins went in carseats provided by a cousin two years older, and a good friend who'd completed her family, I knew they were fine. I got a lot of kit via jumbles and NCT sales etc, but rejected anything safety critical that I didn't know the back-story of.

Rabbitee · 02/06/2012 09:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

2Old2BeABluePeterPresenter · 02/06/2012 09:58

I wouldn't use it, I have a secind hand one as second seat for DS2 but it came from MIL so I know it hasn't been in any accidents. Try Kiddicare, they have reasonable own brand ones. HTH.

Pascha · 02/06/2012 10:12

Evil, show him this crash test on an old car seat

The straps broke because the plastic had degraded.

PrematurelyAirconditioned · 02/06/2012 10:28

The corollary to this is that once your DC has grown out of a carseat, if you don't have another DC (real or planned) lined up to use it within 18 months (ideally less) then you should pass it on immediately to someone who can make use of it. Do not put it in the attic because younger DSis might need it someday or you might get made redundant and decide to have another baby, just pass it on ASAP via Freecycle or to a workmates or MN or even NM - otherwise you might as well bin it.

Ithinkitsjustme · 02/06/2012 11:30

Just a point that someone once made to me, if you bought a birthday cake and were transporting it in your car, you would make sure that it was as safe as possible. We are talking about your child here. Buy a new carseat, or get one from a friend/ relative that you can trust 100% to have not dropped that carseat. Kids can wear second hand clothes, use second hand bedding, play with used toys etc, but a car seat really is a must.

TidyDancer · 02/06/2012 11:32

I wouldn't use an old or second hand one. Car seats and cot mattresses are about the only things I won't scrimp on.

Can you cut costs elsewhere? You don't need new clothes or a new moses basket, etc.

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