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AIBU?

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Original poster

Would you formally complain about this?

141 replies

bluelid · 28/03/2023 16:05

Car was serviced on Thursday. Was picked up and taken to the garage (large, international manufacturer) and then dropped back the same afternoon.

Fast forward to this morning when I'm driving my 2yo DS to his nursery. Had to do a rather sharp brake, due to car in front suddenly stopping. Wasn't a full on emergency brake, but I was going at about 20mph and had to slow down quite rapidly.

DS is screaming in the back- I turn round and his car seat has flown forward and he is half in the footwell/ half pressed against the passenger seat!!

He has one of the seats that is secured with the seatbelt round the back- basically, I can only presume that the seat was unbuckled when it was serviced and not secured again. I definitely have not undone it and he is not capable of doing it himself.

No one me ruined the seat needed to be re-secured and it was just put back in place... which meant I wasn't even promoted to check. If it has been laid flat/ places back to front or something, I would have known it was loose!

Would you make a formal complaint based on this?

OP posts:
LookingOldTheseDays · 28/03/2023 16:19

If the seatbelt is the only means by which a baby's is secured in the car, surely that means that have even more reason to check it, not less?

I wouldn't be happy if a garage gave that as a reason for not checking a seat belt. There is a reason it's part of the MOT.

Original poster
bluelid · 28/03/2023 16:20

@Coffeellama yeah you're right.

Up until a few months ago, he was in an Isofix seat, so that is much more secure and not just reliant on seatbelt. Guess I just haven't given it the thought it deserves!

OP posts:
OooohAhhhh · 28/03/2023 16:20

I can see why you didn't think to check it, as it looked untouched. Defo give feedback to the garage to make them aware. I wouldn't complain tho. Maybe they should place the seats a certain way, so it's obvious it isn't secured.
Your not a bad mum don't be silly.

ladydimitrescu · 28/03/2023 16:25

No it's your responsibility to check, I've always checked as I've strapped them in.

bloodywhitecat · 28/03/2023 16:26

LookingOldTheseDays · 28/03/2023 16:19

If the seatbelt is the only means by which a baby's is secured in the car, surely that means that have even more reason to check it, not less?

I wouldn't be happy if a garage gave that as a reason for not checking a seat belt. There is a reason it's part of the MOT.

If the garage removed the seat then re-installed it incorrectly the onus would be on them in the event of injury in an accident so they don't remove/unbuckle seats. If the driver wants all belts tested the onus is on them to remove and re-install the seat.

Anotherdayanotherdollar · 28/03/2023 16:32

It's definitely worth getting into the habit of checking as sometimes other kids, or backseat passengers can undo the wrong buckle. Especially if you have two buckles side by side.
I would expect an unsecured seat to be noticeably wobbly or something though. I'm also surprised that a garage unbuckled a car seat during a service.

WeeOrcadian · 28/03/2023 16:35

Your car - your car seat - your child - your responsibility

Snorlaxing · 28/03/2023 16:37

I'm glad that he's ok.

AitchPeeVee · 28/03/2023 16:38

Sorry OP, this is definitely your responsibility, not theirs. Glad he’s ok though.

Aprilx · 28/03/2023 16:40

Formally complain, no I don’t think so, I think it was on you to check. But I think you could provide feedback and maybe they could start to mention to parents that they need to check seats.

TomatoFrog · 28/03/2023 16:40

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Holidayneededplease · 28/03/2023 16:40

I think as others have said it should be down to you to check however having ran a large dealership I wouldn’t be unhappy to receive a email from you so I could tell my technician team as best practise to let customer know if child seat had to be removed or moved
not sure why they would have for a service MOT yes but you wouldn’t be unreasonable to mention to the dealership that you weren’t aware it had been unclipped and you would have appreciated being told - you never know it could save someone else the same issue and potential a disaster

DojaPhat · 28/03/2023 16:40

I think it's better to get in the habit of checking before every journey because you just never know.

BessieSurtees · 28/03/2023 16:43

Yes you should be checking the car seat every time, just as we check our own seat belts every time, especially if it’s buckled in and not isofix. It can become slacker over time.

The car seat would have to be removed for service and the garage will probably not re-install it due to liability.

Yes it would have been nice to have the heads up but in a large garage the person who handed it back to you might never have spoken to the person who took it out and serviced the car.

lanthanum · 28/03/2023 16:44

I'm not sure I would have thought to check it.

I think the idea that garages should lay the seat down if they disconnect it is a very good one. If they always do that, then customers will know it needs to be put back properly. They shouldn't be re-securing it, in case they get it wrong.

It might be worth mentioning to the garage that although you know the fault lies with you not them, you just hadn't thought about it, and that a rule like that would avoid anyone going through the same or worse.

monicagellerbing · 28/03/2023 16:44

Omg you should have checked! How is that their fault! Ffs people wanna try and blame other people for everything, take some responsibility for gods sake

Littlemissprosecco · 28/03/2023 16:46

Ask them if they did actually undo the child seat, and why. At least you’ll know, if they didn’t, it may be that it moved and unclicked during the journey. You need to know.

pontipinemum · 28/03/2023 16:46

Honestly, I'm not sure I would have checked. If it was in the right place and all seemed fine when you were getting DS into the seat it probably wouldn't have cross my mind to check.

I would def say it to the garage, just that they make people aware that seats have been removed/ unfastened and that they you need to check. You were lucky and thankfully DS was ok.

Thank you for posting here too, I will know to check my car seat after a service now. Or actually I will check it after it has been out of my control

JenniferBarkley · 28/03/2023 16:47

Your responsibility, but this is sort of the thing where multiple safeguards are useful. I'd feedback to them what happened, explain that you know it was your fault but suggest that if they move car seats, they should place them back in a way that makes it clear they haven't been secured - turned around, lying down, in the footwell etc.

Bansheed · 28/03/2023 16:47

I wouldn't have checked. Had 3 kids and somehow they all survived despite not checking their car seats everytime we used the car.

I wouldn't sweat it amd check when it goes it for Services.

JenniferBarkley · 28/03/2023 16:47

Oh and I wouldn't have checked, and don't check (although ours are isofix which is perhaps slightly different).

PinkEdgeOfMind · 28/03/2023 16:48

My garage ask me to take out the car seat before I get to the garage for MOT/Service, I do it automatically now. Also means I know to reinstall it when I get home

123wentaway · 28/03/2023 16:49

I can’t imagine why they’d have to remove a car seat to service a car. For an MOT I think they have to check the seatbelts all work so might need to move a seat for this.
Id speak to the garage manager, ask why it was moved.

saraclara · 28/03/2023 16:49

I disagree with pretty much everyone.

It's obvious to me that a garage servicing a car should not be touching a child's car seat. And if they do, its their responsibility to put it back safely, as they find it.

I'm absolutely astonished that so many people think differently.

I'd definitely complain, OP. And ask why it was removed in the first place.

MelchiorsMistress · 28/03/2023 16:50

I think it’s worth a mention to the garage. Not for the sake of complaining because they haven’t don’t anything wrong, but if they mention it to the next customer with a child safety seat and ultimately it prevents an injury, it’s got to be worth it.

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