Buying a child car seat: the guide to a safe choice

With a car seat it's about your child's safety – here it pays to look closely. This guide gives you the basics to make an informed decision.

The right standard: i-Size / R129

Modern car seats follow the i-Size (R129) standard. It's based on the child's height, requires improved side-impact protection and longer rearward-facing travel. Look for this approval when buying.

Rearward-facing as long as possible

Rearward-facing travel protects the head and sensitive neck far better in a frontal crash. Experts recommend transporting children rearward as long as possible – often well beyond the second birthday.

Matching child and car

• Size & weight: the seat must fit the current size – don't buy "to grow into".
• Installation: Isofix makes a correct, firm fit much easier. Check whether your car has it.
• Test fit: not every seat fits every car – best to try before buying.

What to look for in tests

Independent tests (e.g. by consumer organisations and automobile clubs) rate safety, handling and pollutants. A good overall result in a current test is a more reliable guide than price alone.

Buy used? Be careful.

With car seats, second-hand is tricky: a seat that has been in an accident can be invisibly damaged. Buy used only from a trustworthy source with known history – or, when in doubt, new.

Conclusion

With a car seat, safety comes before price. Look for the current standard, travel rearward as long as possible and choose a seat that fits child and car – then your child is protected as well as possible.