Are there any car seats which restrain child with seat belt (rather than own belt) for children under 15KG?

[CaligulaCorday]

I had a car accident last week and DD's car seat was damaged. She is 14.7 KG. I don't really want to buy her another car seat which relies on its own straps to restrain the child, as I've always been slightly unhappy about whether I've fixed it properly - it's a relief that DS is older and uses a seat which uses the car seat belt. But most of those seem to be for children over 15KG. Are there any for lighter children?

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Can't you get one of those isofix ones - think they are the best bet these days. They fix directly to a bar under the back seat of the car - both of our cars can have them fitted - we have a VW and a Citroen and I know meganes also have them

Does your car have to be specially adapted to have an ISOfix?

I don't think you'll find one that puts the adult seat belt round the child, purely because a child that small will be the wrong shape and the belt could do more damage than it prevents.

You could get a seat that converts from a Group 1 (with harness) to a Group 2 (booster type) but several, including the Britax Trio and the M&P Elan and Alto did pretty badly in the Which? tests. In fact all the group 1-2 convertible seats that they tested in 2005 were listed as 'don't buy!' except the Recaro Start Plus, which I've never seen for sale anywhere.

Personally I'd go for the Britax Evolva 123 as MN likes it, and the new Ultra version is allegedly even better and did ok in this year's Which? trial. Not cheap but it should last till she's 11!

Not sure about the Isofix adaption question - ours were already like it when we bought them.

I'm intending to get the Evolva Ultra for dd - on offer at Boots.com atm but sadly not the pink one. She's almost 5 but only 13.8kg. Noticed at the weekend that many previosuly 15kg + booster seats are now advertised as 18kg + as it is recommended to use a harnessed seat until then.

I was going to buy the Evolva one until I saw it in person at John Lewis - now I know it is no way suitable. It looks good on paper, but not in person.

The side impact on the head part is soooooo restrictive. Fine for a little one, but when my 5 year old tried it, he totally hated it. So it would not work as a long term car seat. It was as heavy as any of the standard 9month car seats and really fiddly to fix. The recline has to be decided before you put the car seat in - you can't do it mid ride - and it doesn't recline far.

You can't take the back off to convert it to a backless booster. And although it says suitable up to 11 years, that is judged by the fact that the seat can take the weight of an 11 year old. It is no way tall enough. My 5 year olds head as at the top of the seat. No way could it take an 11 year old - as John Lewis admitted to me.

All in all, I thought it was a terrible car seat - sorry!

Have seen it in JLP Bluewater where dd tried it out and it seemed to suit her fine tbh ! The Ultra version has adjustable side wings so you can flex it out as they grow and it is less restrictive. We have a Maxi Cosi Rodi for ds and felt it was pretty similar if perhaps a bit more bulky. Wouldn't use it for an older baby/toddler though as it seemed too vast and recline fiddly.