How long can you really keep a baby car seat for?

The instructions and guidelines say not to use your car seat once it is over 4 years old because it will no longer be safe.

Do you think this is just a money making ploy or is it really unsafe?

Have you used the same car baby seat for all your children even though it was older than 4 years?

I have 1 child now but cannot afford to have another for at least 4 years.

it depends on the make really….if you got a cheap naff one then id change it even before 4yrs, i would say that sounds quite a respectable amount of years till you should get another one…dont know if it would still be ok to keep it longer or not, id change it around than tho

8 Responses to “How long can you really keep a baby car seat for?”

  1. Angela P Says:

    Well my oldest daughter is 10, and i used the same car seat for her and her sister, who is 3! and they are both still perfectly alive!! As long as the seat is not broken or worn in anyway, then it is fine, and this is just their way of getting you to spend more money!
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  2. shevywevy Says:

    it depends on the make really….if you got a cheap naff one then id change it even before 4yrs, i would say that sounds quite a respectable amount of years till you should get another one…dont know if it would still be ok to keep it longer or not, id change it around than tho

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  3. Answers Gerbil Says:

    Just their way of covering themselves in case someone is prolific and has children in one constantly for four years. If it has seen only light use then it will probably be OK.
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  4. csbiup Says:

    As long as the parts are still working and nothing has cracked or worn down it should be fine to use the car seat.
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  5. djmom6 Says:

    Your carseat may still be like brand new 4 years from now, but the 4 year rule comes because of new safety standards that are set all the time and they figure that after 4 years the carseat may be out of date. It’s really up to you, I have seen friends just make sure thru research and calling the company that their carseat has not been re-called, and if it was never in an accident, and is not broken they use it anyways especially if money is an issue.
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  6. ??~mummys~little~monkeys~?? Says:

    my parents have a car seat in their car that is about 12 yrs old, and has been used by 5 kids, although only occasionally, it is faded but completely safe and i am happy for my Dd to travel in it, when she goes out with my parents. as long as it hasn’t been in an accident, shows no sighs of physical wear they it should be fine.
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  7. alucard1366613 Says:

    Most seat expire after 5-6 years here is a list for Car seat life expectancy

    Brand
    Life Span
    Safety Standard

    Baby Trend
    6 years USFMVSS213 + "S" mark

    Babylove
    10 years
    ASNZS 1754
    Babywise
    10 years
    ASNZS 1754

    Brio
    10 years ECE R44-04 + Swedish T approval

    Century (USA)

    6 years
    USFMVSS213 + "S" mark

    Century (AUS)

    10 years
    ASNZS 1754

    Cosco
    5-7 years
    USFMVSS213 + "S" mark

    Dorel
    5-7 years
    USFMVSS213 + "S" mark

    Evenflo
    6 years
    USFMVSS213 + "S" mark

    Go Safe
    10 years
    ASNZS 1754

    Graco
    5 years
    ECE R44-04

    HiPod
    10 years
    ASNZS 1754

    IGC
    10 years ASNZS 1754

    Mother’s Choice
    10 years ASNZS 1754

    Nania - Car Seat Speciality
    7 years USFMVSS213 + "S" mark

    Recaro
    10 years
    ECE R44-04
    Safety 1st
    6 years
    USFMVSS213 + "S" mark

    Safe-n-Sound
    10 years ASNZS 1754
    Vita 10 years
    ASNZS 1754

    http://www.childrestraintsafety.com/manufacture-expiration.html

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  8. Rindie Says:

    1 year.
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