Second hand car seat from a family member

[2015isgoingtobeBIG]

We have been offered a maxi-cosi pebble from my cousin that her little one grew out of (he's now 20 months so it's a relatively recent model). I've always said I would never get a second hand car seat because of the risks of it being in an accident/having hairline cracks etc (friends have offered theirs) but we are having twins and the costs are rising. My DH thinks as we know the history of this second hand one there isn't a problem with it and to be fair my cousin isn't the kind of person who would give it to us if it had had any kind of an accident. Am I being overly cautious? DH has said if it is that much of a worry for me then we'll spend the extra money which is about an extra £80 with a deal from halfords. Not masses but enough that I thought I'd get some other opinions.

Not a problem at all! No different to having a 20 month old yourself and then using it for a second baby.

Do you know what the expiration date on the seat is?
I'd normally say no to a second hand car seat but if it's in date, from someone you trust where you know the history and you're trying to make savings, then I might reconsider.

From someone that close, yes, I'd take it. If you totally trust them, no different to using it for a younger sibling.

If you know and trust them then I would take it.

Yes id say over cautious.

You know it's history- you can check them anyhow and with costs for everything so much I'd take the offer.

We have to have two of everything due to me dropping off at nursery and DH picking up- I'm now due my second any minute and have had no choice but to get 2nd hand as we haven't got the money for everything brand new. As long as you do the relevant checks I'm sure it's be fine.

Thanks ladies. I wasn't sure whether I'd get a blasting for even considering it! I hadn't thought about it as if this was my second child so it's good to look at it that way. I had been ok about accepting it but then had a wobble and couldn't get it out of my head. I don't know how you find out an expiration date though....I didn't even know they had one!

Only some brands have expiration dates - if they do it's usually something like 8-10 years after manufacture.

I'd be fine with this I gave all of DS's old car seats to my sister for my nephew.

I'm having my sister's car seat. I think as long as you know the history, a second hand one is fine. afterall, you would most probably reuse a car seat for a sibling. If my sister had had an accident I would certainly know about it!

With ds1 we were offered & took a 3 year old maxi cosi seat from a friend. She was someone I trusted & we had no problems with it. However for ds2 3.5yrs later we're buying a new one. I think for a decent make (ie not one that cost £30 originally), getting it from someone you trust and you know the age of it, it makes perfect sense.

i'd take it for sure.

has it been in a crash? Has it been correctly stored (not crushed, not too much UV)

sounds ok on all fronts. Not knowing would be a reason not to buy it. If you do know, it's fine.