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Original poster

Thoughts on second hand car seats...

16 replies

iamrubyfinch · 07/07/2014 13:10

We've been offered a complete Mamas and Papas Pliko travel system from a friend which I'm very happy to accept as they are so expensive and money is tight.

It also comes with a car seat. What is the general consensus on using a second-hand car seat? Is it ok? Or is it better to buy one new?

Thanks x

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Waggamamma · 07/07/2014 13:21

It's fine if you know and trust the previous owner and can be absolutely certain it's never been dropped or involved in an accident.

I would never buy a second hand car seat from someone i didn't know/eBay/gumtree/car boot etc. But if it is from family or a friend you know and trust it's hasn't been damaged or compromised in anyway it is fine.

busyDays · 07/07/2014 13:26

I think it is fine if you are getting it from a trusted friend but I wouldn't buy one on ebay. Do check the expiry date though. I'm pretty sure the maxi cosi ones have a 5-year expiry, not sure about the other brands. I think it is because plastic/fabric etc. starts to degrade after a certain time.

snoggle · 07/07/2014 13:27

Just check the age / expiry date as well- the plastics do degrade and can become unsafe so need to ensure it is within the manufacturers date.

And yes you need to be very sure that You know its history

crazykat · 07/07/2014 13:29

I would off a friend or family member, we have SIL our DDs carseat that we no longer needed.

As long as you can be certain it hasn't been in an accident or dropped down the stairs then go for it.

lotsofcheese · 07/07/2014 13:34

Just out of interest, where is the expiry date on Maxi Cosi car seats?

ItWasMyOwnSilence · 07/07/2014 13:38

Buying second hand is great, however I would never buy a carseat second hand - even from a friend.

They may be able to promise that it's never been in a car accident but there's other types of accidents which may have occurred, for example the carseat may have been dropped or may have been stored under large items which may have damaged it.

I would strongly recommend buying a brand new carseat - even if it means going without something else.

FWIW I would rather have no carseat and not take baby out in the car at all then use a second hand one.

naturalbaby · 07/07/2014 13:42

Depends how old it is.
Take the covers off and check it. The plastic can still get damaged from day to day use.
I would be very tempted.

We have 2nd hand stage 1 seats. I was told it's fine if used continuously but if they're older than 5yrs then they should be destroyed. Mine have been used continuously for 5yrs so were passed as safe to use.

LongTailedTit · 07/07/2014 13:57

lotsofcheese somewhere on the base, but it's not written in DD/MM/YY, they use a production date of Week/Year, so our Cabriofix was something like 46/09 meaning Week 46 of 2009, ie expiring November (?) this year.
Very confusing!

We have BILs seat that DN1, DS1, DN2, and now DS2 have all used - we'll be using it for 6 months past 'expiry'.

One of the local mums I discussed 2nd hand seats with is a plastics engineer, she said the biggest factor to consider is exposure to light, ie a car seat that has been in constant use or stored in direct daylight may have risk of degraded plastic parts (UV exposure??), where as a NBIB seat that's simply been stored for 5 years should be fine.
Obv I don't know if this is reliable info, but it makes sense.

lotsofcheese · 07/07/2014 14:07

Longtailed: thank you. I'll have a look on the base - I suspect my car seat & base have passed their date & will be going to landfill.

Heatherbell1978 · 07/07/2014 21:59

We've taken the offer of a maxi-cosi and base from good friends. Their 1 yr old has just grown out of it so it's good timing. I was a bit hesitant at first after everything I've read but we know them well and know they'd never give it to us if they didn't think it was safe. Saves us quite a bit of money too.

Iswallowedawatermelon · 08/07/2014 00:59

From a friend it is fine imo

RAFWife12 · 08/07/2014 07:31

I got my car seat from my brother. It's 7 months old, never been dropped and never been in an accident.
I would not get a second hand car seat from anyone else as I wouldn't be able to trust the history so much. It's the only thing protecting your baby should you have an accident - you have to know its safe! Trust your judgement.

Original poster

iamrubyfinch · 08/07/2014 09:51

Thank you for all the advice. I think we'll give it a go as it will save so much money and I've been assured it's never been in an accident or anything.

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KitKat1985 · 08/07/2014 10:06

I'd accept if it was from a trusted friend / family member so I'd be able to feel reassured that it had never been in an accident or similar. I wouldn't buy a car seat second hand from a stranger though. In your case I'd say go for it. x

LongTailedTit · 08/07/2014 14:07

lotsofcheese If you take it to the dump please could you cut the straps? Some tip-raiders take dumped carseats and sell them on, obv unaware of their history or safety.
Cutting the straps is the only way to make them unsellable.

Original poster

iamrubyfinch · 08/07/2014 14:24

Good point. Will do.

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