Whenever you buy a car seat, you need to understand that it is good only by a specific date. After that, it will expire. Unfortunately, most consumers who buy such car seats aren’t aware of this fact. Instead of making this mistake, it is good to find out how long the car seat is good for?.

Once you find the answer to this question, you will know right away when you need to replace it.

Today, I will share with you the answer to this question. Not only that, I will shed light on the durability of car seats by different brands as well. Once you go through my post below, it will become easier for you to know everything there is to know about car seats’ durability.

How long is a car seat good for?

The car seat is usually good for 6 years to 10 years. Of course, there are quite a few factors that determine its durability.

The primary among them is the type of seat. Car seat manufacturers print the expiration date of such seats. That is why the expiry of the car seat can vary by brand as well.

I will detail the expiry of car seats by different brands below. That will further help you understand how durable your car seat is.

Car seat expiration dates by brands:

In total, I will cover 11 different brands. I will list their expected expiration date so that you can get more idea regarding the expiration date of your car seat.

1. Britax:

Britax offers infant car seats that can last for 6 years. The booster ones can last for 9 years. After this period they expire.

2. Chicco:

Chicco car seats can last for 6 years. After that, it is a good idea to dump them and buy a new one.

3. Cosco:

Cosco also offers car seats which can last for 6 years.

4. Diono:

Diono, on the other hand, offers car seat harnesses that can easily last for 8 years. When it comes to booster seats, they can last for 10 years. As you can see, this brand offers car seats which can last longer.

5. Evenflo:

Evenflo offers quite a few car seats. Most of them last for 6 years. There are very few car seat models by this brand that last for a lesser period.

6. Evenflo Symphony:

Evenflo Symphony has an expiration date of 8 years.

7. Evenflo SafeMax:

Evenflo SafeMax seats are good for 10 years. If you compare them with most other brands, that is one of the highest durability among car seats.

8. Graco:

Graco offers car seats that can last anywhere from 7 years to 10 years. The expiration dates state the same. However, there might be a bit of variation depending on the exact model which you choose.

9. Maxi-Cosi:

Maxi-Cosi offers seats that are designed for 10-year use. However, this brand does not mention the expiry dates on the seats.

10. Recaro:

Recaro car seats can last for 6 years. The expiry date is printed accordingly.

11. Safety 1st:

Safety 1st car seats can last anywhere from 6 years to 8 years. The range is because the expiry date varies depending on the model.

Thus, depending on the model you choose, the car seat can last for a different period.

Many parents opt for secondhand car seats. In that case, it is essential to find out if the car seat has already expired or not.

I will share with you the way to do so below.

How to tell if your car seat has expired?

Fortunately, most car seat manufacturers have a label attached to the seat. The expiry date of the car seat is mentioned on the label. Due to the same, it becomes straightforward for you to find out whether the car seat has expired or not.

By now, you are aware of how long car seats can last. However, it is crucial to understand why they do expire. I will highlight the reasons for the same below.

Why do car seats expire?

There are a few reasons why car seat manufacturers list the expiry date. I will highlight these reasons below.

1. Wear and tear:

One of the primary reasons is wear and tear. When the seat occupant, especially the baby, uses the car seat, there will be consistent wear and tear. The wear and tear over a period reduces the safety of the car seat. Beyond a specific date, it is simply not viable to use the car seat. That is why the manufacturers always list the expiry date.

2. Changing regulations:

The car seat manufacturers are aware of how long the rules stay constant. Through their experience in the industry, they know by when the seat should expire. Accordingly, they print the expiry dates. That way, you are always using the car seat, which complies with the rules and regulations.

3. Testing limits:

Manufacturers are aware that the car seats you are buying today are for your infants and children. However, as infants and children grow, these will not be conducive and safe for them. That is why they have an expiry date.

The expiry dates force the parents to opt for safer seats for their children after a while. It means that when you’re abiding by the expiry dates, you’re choosing safer seats for your child according to their growing age. That is the primary purpose of buying car seats.

These are the 3 reasons why manufacturers always set expiry dates on their car seats. If you have been using one for a period longer than this, it is essential to check the expiry date today.

So, car seats can last anywhere from 6 years to 10 years. The exact period depends on the brand of the car seat which you are using. The label attached to the seat can alert you to the same. Now is the time to opt for the safest car seats for your children. My guide above can certainly help you with the same.

I share information on car seats and various other car accessories like car seat risers, mini Cooper car covers, car tents, and so on. You can read my posts here, here, and here respectively to find the information about these car accessories.