buying a car seat

A question about : buying a car seat

what is everyones opinions on buying a car seat off somebody you know well ? an infant one... it is MSE but is it worth it after all they do say to buy a new one don't they ?

just want everyones opinions really as a family member has offered us her car seat is in immaculate condition but im not sure weather to buy one new instead. some advice would be much appreciated

TIA x

Best answers:

• If it is someone you know well and you trust that it has never been in an accident, then yes I would. Personally I wouldn't buy off Gumtree or similar as you just don't know.
• I would always go for a new car seat no matter what
• I would buy (and have done) if I know it's history. Car seat manufacturers make money this way I'm sure.
  (and childrens shoes that measure width and cost 3 times as much. Supermarkets dont sell 'width' shoes and they've not been banned)
• If you know the history of it in terms of knowing it hasn't been in any accidents, age of it and how it's been stored. I wouldn't take the risk off any second-hand sites, but from trusted friends or family members I would - and indeed am in a month or so.
• thanks for all your great advice, its off a close family member we see very regularly. never been dropped or in a car crash and is always placed softly and carefully on any surface. its immaculate and seems completely safe no rattling etc ... i've heard you will know if they have been dropped or in a crash as there is stuff inside like a motorcycle helmet that will rattle make a noise if broken which would mean baby wasn't safe in a crash etc ... but i don't know how true this is ... and obv would have to make sure it fits in our car and there is no buckle crunch etc .... thanks for the advice will have a think x
• I would happily buy a carseat from someone I know well and could trust when they say it has not been in any accidents etc.
  I am very pro-extended rear facing!!! You say its an infant seat so it will be rear-facing anyway, but try keep children rear-facing as long as you can. It is 5 times safer than forward facing. Both my children are still rear-facing at age 3.5 years and 1.5 years.
  Also Most seats do not fit most cars - you really do need to try it out.
• I would have car seat from trusted friend or relative as other forumites. Friends and family will not want to put your baby at risk and would tell you if there are any risks with the seat if has been dropped or in a crash... But ebayers not so much. I'll need one soon and have done loads of research but still undecided. Thought about eBay to save some Ј but as I say think a bit too risky for me. Everyone is different though and there are some really good value own label seats out there if you are willing to give up the brand name and keen to save money for nappies! Like anything for babies they all have to be tested to meet minimum safety standards so a cheap own brand new seat better bet than taking a risk on a seat you don't know the history of, in my opinion
• Car seats and bike helmets are filled with moulded polystyrene. That compresses on impact/melts in heat or sunlight and neither of those things would cause a rattle. Either will lower the effectiveness of the seat in a crash though.
  I'm also pro-extended rear facing.
• I would also check how old it is as over time the plastic degrades. I'm pretty sure they are OK for up to 10 years after manufacture so unless it has been handed down through several kids you should probably be ok.
• If you know the history of it and it's not been in any accidents or was bought second-hand by your friend then I'd go for it.
• I wouldn't risk it.
  straps get worn and become unsafe, other plastic parts may crack and not be seen until it is too late..
  I'm all for extended rear facing too.. check out the research/data .. the seats are extortionate but how much is your child worth?
  I think there are many ways to save money.. second hand clothing, used pushchairs but a car seat will save the life of your child in an accident it is worth every single penny to buy new.
  Also, they should not be used if over 5 years old due to changes in safety regs and degradation of perishable materials.
• As someone said before , wear and tear , straps can become worn . I would buy new and have bought new , twice
• Extended rear-facing is the way forward but unfortunately most stores do not stock these erf seats and do not know much about them!
  There is a new seat on the uk market, sold in Babysrus/toysrus called the Joie Stages seat. It is rear-facing to 18kg, which could be around age 4!!! It then turns to forward facing. It is priced Ј129 at the moment........
  https://www.toysrus.co.uk/Babies-R-Us...archPosition=4
  2 weeks ago Toysrus had a further 20% off code so I got one for Ј104 which is a bargain for an erf seat. My daughter is in the Maxi Cosi Mobi and was planning just getting a 2nd one for my son, but at Ј245 when I found out about the Joie Stages seat I had to have a look!!
  If you do go and have a look at it, make sure it is the new Joie Stages seat, in a white box, and rear-facing til 18kg, it was previously in a brown box, rf to 13kg - thats the old model!! I am surprised they have not put the price up for this seat, given it is now erf.
• If ERF is something you're interested in but can't afford the FF kiddy carseats with the impact cushion is apparently the next safest option, the have very good test records amd I think mothercare do their own for around Ј100.
  As for second had carseats you must bear in mind that they all have an expirey date soIta worth checking most I think is 5 years. So if you go for a seat that will last over 5 years especiall ERF you will probably hace to replace eventually anyway.
• I had a similar offer recently while looking for a new car seat and decided against the second hand option, even though I knew the person selling very well, mainly for the extended use before replacing a brand new model. I think it all depends on how long you'll need a car seat for (along with safety concerns, naturally)
• I'd rather get a car seat from someone I know well than buy the cheapest from Argos. Reason being that if you can get a car seat which has done well in the crash tests from family/friends, it'll cope better in an accident than a cheap Ј45 one from Argos or similar. Better to pay Ј50 for a second hand seat which has done well in crash tests than Ј50 on a new one which got very low scores in the crash tests.
  There's 2 ways to find out if a car seat has been in an accident:
  1) Put the seat on the floor, put your knee on the front and give the shoulder straps a sharp tug. They should 'lock' just like 3 point seat belts do. If they do then:
  2) Remove the covers and check carefully for any visible damage to the plastic.
  Someone I know got these by using Google.