Would you re-use a five year old baby car seat?

[willywonka]

We still have dd1's car seat which we used regularly for a few months but which we know was not involved in any accidents etc. but which is now five years old. Any advice on whether or not we need to buy a new one for the forthcoming arrival? Don't want to spend unnecessarily but if there are any safety issues then there's no debate.

Thanks.

Apologies for an excessive use of "but's" in that posting

I wouldn't purely since safety understanding has changed and i'd feel a newer model was safer

I wouldn't, no. We had one baby car seat for all of our 4 children, born 7 years apart iyswim (oldest to youngest).

Also had 2 car seats for older children which did for all 4 of them and which I am now trying to sell here! I know they are not the latest design, but if they were safe enough for my precious children, I reckon they are safe enough for anyone. (Hope that sounds right).

Sorry, I meant to say I would use old seat, I wouldn't buy a new one.

Have designs changed so much in 5 years?

Sorry the I wouldn't was to the title of Would you reuse it.

I would.

But it's you who has to feel happy with it.

Bugger! Should have checked that the thread title & posting didn't contradict each other. Suffering from pregnant head - sorry! Thanks for your postings though

Yes and we are dd2 is in ss's 9 year old car seat, britax still make it!! its had no crashes etc.

We have use the same britax rockatot car seat for all 4 of our children - over 8 years. It wasn't in any crashes so was fine. It's not as luxurious as the most recent models, but did the trick.

if its made of polystyrene then no - they should be changed after each cild, if it is a fully plastic rigid one then its prob ok- its up to you though.

i am not sure tbh. i would check the which reports and the fit in my current car (assuming i had a differet car that is), i would also check if its still being made because if its not i would worry why not.

I would and have but it was mine from new and I knew it hadn't been in an accident.

We are trying for number 3. My eldest is now 4 and I know that the car seat we bought for her doesn't pass safety standards now so my answer is no. If we concieve number 3 I will be buying a new seat.

If its a well known make then ask the manufacturer if its is up to Safety requirements ??? Just an idea

I guess you need to do what you feel happy with.
Mine is just about to get it's fourth outing. My ds1 - nearly 5 years ago, friend's dd - 2-3 years ago, my ds2 - 18mo-6mo ago and friend ready to have another v soon. Personally I would reuse it, and I guess my friend is happy doing so aswell.

I am using DD's Britax rock a tot for DS, and will use the renaissance when he gets bigger.
They were the Which Guide safest ones when purchased and haven't been in a crash.

yes and did. Only because it came from a family member and I knew it was never in any accidents.

probably

It would depend what caar seat it was...

some car seats avaliable 5 years ago now are still made and sold and still safe...

(i have a 7 year old car seat (britax reinassance) which is one of the safest in tis class) (when purchased it was a new model)

BUT some care seats made 5 years ago are crap and no way would i put a new baby in one now.

What car seat is it?