...to use a car seat for a third child?

[Runningupthathill82]

Baby due next month. Fully intended to use the Maxi Cosi car seat which served us well with DS.
He was the second child to use it - we were given it, in excellent condition, for DS, and it's still in great condition now (or will be once I've given the covers a bit of a wash).

Anyway. Other threads have got me thinking I should replace the seat for the new baby, even though it seems fine and has never been in a bump or a scrape. Would this be OTT?

For background, we have no money, so if we did buy a new car seat it would be on credit. It would also have to be the same model of Maxi Cosi to fit with our existing pram, so couldn't get a cheaper version. (If I was loaded I'd just buy a new one and not give this any further headspace).
Also, for clarity, we haven't "prioritised" other stuff above a car seat, which is often raised on these threads. DC2 is having absolutely everything as a hand-me-down from DS, aside from a new Moses basket which was bought for us as a gift.

All thoughts welcomed. Is it wasteful and OTT to replace a perfectly good seat? Or the absolute minimum you would do in terms of safety?

I'm due dc3 and was in a similar position. I had a thread in pregnancy I think.

I'm reusing our maxi cosi after reading the maxi cosi ten year info. I've stripped down and washed all covers, straps etc, and the polystyrene looks as new. I've put it all back together this week and gave it in our hall with a blanket, all ready for the arrival of baby.

I used my Maxi-Cosi for both my DC, and then passed it onto a friend for their first and they will keep it (unless there is an accident) for their next 10 baby. (They want a massive family but live in a studio flat in south London so not sure where they are going to put them....

As long as you know it hasn't been dropped, cracked or in an accident then it's fine

Whew, well that's pretty unanimous then! And a weight off my mind.
Going to give the covers a wash, give the polystyrene a check-over, and then reuse. Thanks for the reassurance!

Where I'm from, the seat has to be less than 7 years old. So depending on age, I would use it again :)