Would you use an old carseat?

[knittingmama]

My SIL has given me a couple of carseats that she used for her kids- now aged 10 and 12. They are both for ages 9 mos and up. I know she hasn't been in an accident, but I'm concerned about the age of the seats. As far as I can see they look fine, and don't look all that different to the ones sold in shops now... but, would you use a ten year old carseat?

Sorry knittingmama but no,I wouldnt. I know we tried to sell just our ds's pram once and they wouldnt sell it anywhere in second hand shops. They say once things are past 5yrs they are not allowed to because of the safty numbers on them or something. I was shocked to find they would actually get into trouble for it. Anyway to the point I think things change greatly in the saftey aspects and do feel 10-12 Years is a bit to long for my liking. Especially when it could save your childs life.

I am currently using second hand car seats (from relatives so I know the history). However I wouldn't use a 10 yr old one as I think sunlight on the plastic / metal damages it over time.

Identical thread last week, the conclusions were no.

Safety standards have improved - do they conform to E44.03 or E44.04? (If not it will be illegal to use from March)

The chairs can be damaged by UV and fluctuating temperatures and 10yrs is a long time. Some websites suggest the cut off should be 7yrs for a seat to be considered "not old"

Thanks everyone, I now have a very good excuse to give them back- I didn't want to use them but didn't want to offend SIL, and she keeps asking how we're getting on with them!

Plastic goes brittle with time. You should replace safety helmets (bike/riding) yearly for this reason so I wouldn't use them, no.

Wilkie
I did not know that you should replace helmets yearly. Eek! DD's are a good few years old.

DD's is

Kindersurprise - that used to be the advice but defo check it as it was a few years ago and things may have changed since.

I need to get it checked anyway as it has a dent. I am pretty sure she needs a new one.

my youngest is currently using DS1's Britax eclipse car seat - which is 5 yrs old, he only used it for a year, then DS2 used it also for a year. they each had to stop using it cos i was pg with the next DC and had medical condits which meant that i couldn't lift them into it. So each time it went in the box, into the loft. At one point i sent it back to Britax for a service. DD has had it for a year now and she will be in it til she is 4 we will get value for money out of it this time...

Having said all that, no i wouldn't use a ten-year-old one inherited from SIL

no i wouldn't i think 5years for anything safty wise i think all carseats ahve use by dates on them to i deffo know graco ones do

I emailed britax about this and they never replied but there was nothing on their web site or instruction leaflet about use-by dates. I have an old 2nd stage car seat (probably 10-12 years old) and it conforms to E44.03. I can't see that any sunlight would get to the metal or plastic because of the cover.