Would you use a 7 year old car seat for your new baby?

[blissieblue]

I was all set to buy a new one (Britax Cosy Tot) for £90 but I actually have the option of using my niece's Rock A Tot from 2000/01. It is in good condition and never been in an accident and tbh I could REALLY do without spending the money. But would I be compromising my LO's safety? Has car seat design changed that much in 6 or 7 years?
I just don't know!

I am going to use my mamas and papas one I have had for six years. I asked in a shop and they said they are still fine to use. A friend of mine took hers to a shop to hers serviced and they replaced some foam I think. I will use mine but obviously it is up to you.

If you're sure it's not been in any accident then I don't see a problem.

i am using dd1's babyseat from 5 years ago, maybe bit older as we bought in months in advance! for dd3

I wouldn't. Seats don't last for ever and it isn't just about car seat design changes. Or whether they have been in an accident or not.

It depends what is underneath the cover. Is it plastic or polestyrene?

Current regs aren't the be all and end all. There are still some seats on sale that are cr*p. Not that I am saying the rock a tot is, I just feel there are better seats out now.

I would, as long as it's in excellent condition

After reading the title my thought was only if it is a britax rock a tot - which it is - I know these did consistently very well in safety tests etc and is probably a better car seat that some of the other current models made by other manufacturers.

NAB3 it's polystyrene and plastic under the cover.

Loopy - they do still make the Rock a Tot but it is cheaper to buy than the Cosy Tot which obviously makes me think it is not as good / safe.

Ultimately I know only I can make this decision but it's helpful to know what others would do! Thanks for the suggestion of emailing RoSPA - will try that.

The car seat industry is an extortionate protection racket - while use of car seats makes some difference in an accident, it doesn't make enough difference to justify the huge prices charged and the hysterical propaganda against the use of perfectly-good second-hand ones (because, particularly when it comes to baby seats, they are not in use long enough to deterioreate much). If the seat is in good nick, go ahead.

Hmmm yes it's just a reaction to think more expensive = better. Silly I know

Anyway I called Britax and they said it should be fine and meets all current regs so I'm thinking...great and then she said "But..it won't have side impact protection"

Need to chat to DH on this one I think

I would definitley use it. (I think the maunfacturers prey on these fears to get us to put our hands in our pockets.

If I had a new baby now I would just use my Britax Rock-a-tot that was first used in 2001 when ds1 was born. I don't think I'd buy a new one.

she also said deterioration of plastic was not a problem

The cover shoudl be removable. Take it off and have a good look for damage. Has it been in any accidents, however minor? We reused dd1's car seat for dd2 but bought an ISOFIX one for ds.

Yeah, I would.

I would too.

Ruby - no problem. I can see why you believed it - I would too if I heard it from a good source.

DS1's first stage car seat had a use by date stamped on the underneath. I used it in 2003 and think the date on it was 2008. it was a graco one - autobaby?

If it is polystyrene I definitely wouldn't use it. It gets compacted over time.

If not, I have a brand new Britax Cosy Tot with newborn insert and with "Advanced side impact system" compatible with Isofix base and Britax click and go travel systems.

Conplete with instruction etc, never used because I bought the wrong one for my Britax Zeta which Lollymummy on here bought.

£25.00 only