The Used Car‑Seat & Stroller Buyer’s Safety Cheat‑Sheet

The short version: Buy smart or buy new

Buying secondhand baby gear can save money, reduce waste and be perfectly safe — but only if you inspect items thoroughly, verify age and recall status, and avoid seats or strollers with an unknown crash history. Use this cheat‑sheet as your quick pre‑purchase checklist so you know exactly what to look for and what to ask a seller.

This article focuses on the most common high‑risk items: car seats (infant carriers, convertible seats, combination/booster seats) and strollers. It explains how to find the manufacture or DOM label, how to interpret expiration guidance, how to run recall checks, and when to walk away.

1) Inspect first — a practical in‑person checklist

Before you buy, do a hands‑on inspection. If the seller won’t let you examine the item closely or remove covers to find labels, don’t buy it.

• Look for the label: Find the manufacturer label or sticker — it usually shows the model, serial number and date of manufacture (DOM). Labels are commonly on the back, underside of the shell, or under the cover; you may need to move fabric to see it.
• Check for visible damage: Cracks, deep scratches in the plastic shell, exposed foam, missing hardware, or warped frames are deal‑breakers.
• Harnesses & webbing: Inspect straps for fraying, thinning, stains from chemicals, or melting. Buckles should snap and release cleanly; never buy if the buckle sticks.
• All original parts & labels: Confirm the seat or stroller includes all manufacturer pieces (bases, adapters, tether straps, canopy pieces, trays) and the instruction manual or a downloadable manual link. Missing parts can mean the product isn’t useable or safe.
• Smell & contamination: A strong chemical smell (solvent, fuel) or heavy mold is a reason to refuse the item — contaminants can affect padding, plastics and webbing.
• Crash history disclosure: Ask if the seat or stroller was ever in a crash or collision. If the seller is the owner, get a written statement. If history is unknown, don’t buy the car seat. Expert guidance recommends replacing any car seat involved in a moderate or severe crash.

For strollers: check wheel and brake function, frame alignment, folding mechanisms, and that straps or harnesses are intact. Broken or unpredictable brakes are an immediate no‑buy because they pose fall hazards and are often not repairable safely.

2) Dating & expiration — how to find age and why it matters

Why age matters: plastics, foam, adhesives and straps degrade over time; crash protection is only guaranteed for the manufacturer’s stated lifespan. Most seats expire somewhere between about 6 and 10 years after the date of manufacture, but exact life spans vary by model and brand. If you can’t find a DOM or an explicit expiration label, treat the seat as if it’s expired after 6 years.

How to find the date:

1. Locate the manufacturer label (DOM/model/serial) on the shell or underside — you may need to remove or shift fabric covers to see it.
2. Check the manual or manufacturer website: many brands list expiration rules by model.
3. If no expiration is printed, calculate 6 years from the DOM as a conservative rule of thumb and contact the manufacturer for model‑specific guidance.

Tip: Photograph the sticker (keep it with your purchase records) and register the product with the manufacturer immediately after purchase so you can receive any recall notices (see next section).

3) Recalls: where and how to check (before you buy)

Always check model + serial (if available) for recalls before handing over money. There are two primary U.S. resources:

• NHTSA / SaferCar: NHTSA’s SaferCar recall lookup (website and mobile app) lets you search by car‑seat brand/model and will notify you of campaigns; it also covers vehicle‑related equipment. Use SaferCar to confirm if a seat or stroller model has an open remedy.
• CPSC Recalls: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission posts child product and stroller recalls; search CPSC’s recalls for strollers and accessories. If a model has a CPSC recall, follow the posted remedy instructions immediately.

How to check:

1. Get the brand and exact model number from the label (or at minimum the model name)
2. Search SaferCar/NHTSA by product and model; if a serial number is available, include it when searching or ask the manufacturer to confirm your exact item’s recall status.
3. Check CPSC.gov/recalls for stroller recalls and remedy info.

If a recall has a free repair or replacement, be sure the seller confirms the remedy was completed and ask for documentation. If no remedy is available or the seller cannot prove the recall was fixed, do not buy.

4) The final decision: buy, negotiate, or walk away

Use this simple decision flow:

If cost is the main constraint, consider community programs that provide inspected, reconditioned seats or local safety organizations that offer vouchers — many Safe Kids coalitions and local health agencies can point families to low‑cost or free replacement options.

Final safety note: For infants (rear‑facing carriers) many safety advocates advise buying new when possible, because infant carriers are often used very frequently and are more likely to be near end‑of‑life or be missing cushions and bases.

Quick printable checklist (copy before you go)

• Find & photograph DOM / model / serial label.
• Confirm expiration (manufacturer label/website or 6‑year rule if no label).
• Search NHTSA / SaferCar for recalls (model + serial if possible).
• Search CPSC recalls for strollers & accessories.
• Inspect shell, straps, buckles, LATCH, brakes (strollers) and folding locks.
• Ask seller: Was it ever in a crash? Any repairs? Do you have the manual?
• If buying, get seller to sign a short written disclosure about crash history and repairs.

Keep digital photos of the label and the signed disclosure in case you later need proof for a recall remedy.