Second hand car seat

11 replies

Beans1977 · 19/06/2012 07:09

A friend has offered us her Maxicosi Cabriofix car seat as her two children are now toddlers and she's not planning any more kids (for now!). It would save us £100 buying one new which would be great as like most we are on a budget. I know the history of her seat and that it has not been damaged / in any accidents. It also fits with our pushchair that we've bought (Oyster Babystyle).

However, another friend has told me you should never use second hand car seats because they can be damaged in ways the eye can't see and would be useless in case of an accident. I hadn't heard this before.

Please can someone offer a newbie mum-to-be some advice?

Thanks

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

CelticRepublican · 19/06/2012 07:13

I'd take it. You know it hasn't been in an accident. I've used secondhand seats ( and passed them on after).

notfarmingatthemo · 19/06/2012 17:11

You need to also check when it was made it will be on the back underneath some where maxi- cosy ones say in the instruction not to use after 6 years. You also need to check it fits your car.

DomesticDisaster · 19/06/2012 17:19

I would say use it as you know its history and it is from a friend. If you think about it, the argument that seats can be damaged in ways you can't see then that would apply to all seats at all times secondhand or not. I'm not saying you shouldn't take safety seriously but sometimes I think you should think of it as a ploy for maxi cosi etc to make more money by selling car seats!

If it was from a stranger then I would think twice as you just don't know, but in this case I would think it would be fine and really wouldn't worry if I was in your position. HTH

nocake · 19/06/2012 17:23

DD's seat came from a family member. We know exactly what's happened to it so it's just the same as us using the same seat for two kids. You know what has happened to this seat so use it.

greentreespurpleflowers · 20/06/2012 06:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Beans1977 · 20/06/2012 15:52

Thanks everyone - will check the date and see how it fits in the car. I think I've been being a bit over cautious - thanks for the advice.

OP posts:

Debs75 · 20/06/2012 15:57

You know the lady offering it to you so ask her has it ever been in any minor or major bump and has she ever had to do an emergency stop whist it was strapped in? Harsh braking when strapped in has the same affect as a minor bump which is why I had isofix car seats.

elliebug · 20/06/2012 16:02

So if it's isofix and you do an emergency stop does it need replacing? I only ask as I did one a few weeks ago!! Only used seat for 2 months so please say no!!
OP I would use a second hand seat if I was sure of history, I have the next stage one in my loft from a close friend!they are soo expensive but soo essential

Debs75 · 20/06/2012 18:15

No, I was told it is the seatbelt which puts the most strain on a car sealt. Isofic means the strain is displaced more around the actual car seat and the isofix base, not the carrier, that is what the salesman told me.
If all car seats were unable to take the strain of emergency stops then they wouldn't be very good. If you don't know the previous owner though they could have very erratic driving styles and make emergency stops every journey, that would put a lot of repeated strain on a car seat which is belted in

elliebug · 20/06/2012 18:30

Oh good, hope it was a one off, don't want to witness accidents every trip

monkeymoma · 20/06/2012 18:33

mmm how old is her eldest?
I wouldn't buy a second hand car seat from a stranger but got given one from my SIL who I trust, was a first stage seat that had only been used by one child and that wasn't long ago so it hadn't had time to perish much - they DO perish

Flip