Ford Focus Steep Angled Sloping Seats! No Car Seats Work

[jwillz1]

I have just had a miserable 2 hours in mothercare, where they told me that none of their car seats are suitable (having tried over 10 different ones) for our car as the back seat is so sloped (knees up bums down) that the seat isn't reclined enough to be at a safe angle.

Has anyone else had this problem? And what would you suggest?

We drive a 2008 Ford Focus which we had ISOFIX installed into.

There are some v knowledgeable people on the FB group Rear-Facing Toddlers - youvould post on there and ask for advice. Or call the In Car Safety Centre? They know their stuff.

Thank you for this. I'll try both those things.

Another vote for the In Car Safety Centre. We went to the one in Milton Keynes a couple of times and they were really helpful.

Great. That sounds like a good option then!

How old is the little one? We have an 08 Focus and have used a infant seat belted, not isofix, it was a Recaro profi plus. Then we graduated to a belted Extended Rear Facing seat, a Britax 2way Elite, suitable from 9mo (can turn forward facing around 4yo).

Mothercare isn't the best place, try an independent car seat retailer if you can.

With sloped seats your best bet is a belt fitted car seat. Isofix is too rigid but you can get a much bette fit with a seat belt.

Are you looking for an infant car seat or a group 1 seat? Any belt fitted infant car seat should be ok. Group 1 - your best choices are the Axkid Minikid or Britax Two Way Elite (rear facing to 25kg) or the Joie Stages (rear facing to 18kg - only really suitable if your child isn't over the 50th centile for height or weight). Any of these seats will get a good fit in a Focus.

Join the Facebook group 'car seat advice uk' and search for Focus to see what other people have fitted.

I think I will have the same issue. Why are seats in some cars so incredibly sloped? It's not remotely comfortable!!

Ford are notoriously bad for accommodating car seats. I've heard so many people having problems with seats and short seat belts, that it puts me off buying a Ford.

In car safety centre are fantastic and I'd trust them over Mothercare all the time.
K
However, kudos to Mothercare that in this instance, they didn't attempt to flog any old seat.