What to do with old car seats?

[notcoping777]

My toddler is upgrading to a bigger car seat soon. I know the advice is not to use secondhand car seats, so assume I can’t sell the old one. Do they just go to the tip?

We passed them on to people who trust us (I.e. believe that it’s not been in an accident), sometimes as spares for holiday (on a plane) or in grandparent car. We have told them purchase date so they know to throw away after (I think it’s 7 years before the plastic deteriorates). If going to tip as it’s had its life cut the straps and trash it properly so no one can use it unsafely.

You can sell them. People do buy them. Just don't expect to get a lot of money for it.

I'd only pass it on if it's still in fully working condition and has all of the parts.

It’s in very good condition and has never been in an accident, though I know people might not want to take my word for that!

Try FB local, Gumtree, Freecycle etc. I often see them on offer.

I sold mine cheaply on facebay - I know it's safe and happy to therefore pass onto someone who may not otherwise be able to afford one - lots of people in our area don't use car seats at all

@Findahouse21

I sold mine cheaply on facebay - I know it's safe and happy to therefore pass onto someone who may not otherwise be able to afford one - lots of people in our area don't use car seats at all

I was planning on doing this once my little one moves up, we have a local free to collector page and it'd be good if it helped someone out. It's in great condition so feels wrong to dispose of at the tip!

Thanks all, I will try giving it away on the local FB.

I often wondered what parents with very little money did about car seats.You might be able to run an old car but car seats are so pricey and have to be changed regularly as children grow. Perhaps safe second hand is the answer?

My giant child is currently outgrowing the up to 18kg seat early, so it hasn'tbeen used for many years. I still feel i am going to tip it, despite no accidents etc. I just can't guarantee that there are no faults with it, so don't want that responsibility.

I think you can donate them to your local fire station for training too.

Cut straps then take to tip. Just can't chance it.

The fire station advice is more for America where fire stations do car seat training. You can ask them, but I don't think UK ones generally use them for this.