If you buy a new car with isofix fittings do you have to change your seat ?

[ArseHolio]

Atm we have a old vectra without isofix and DS is in a Britax Rennaisance which was his big sisters and so it is 5 years old.

We are getting a new car on Friday, an 09 Passat with Isofix fittings.

I know isofix are safer but how much ? do i need to change the seat immediatly ?

[Seona1973]

we have isofix fittings but have never had an isofix car seat.

[castleonthehill]

Isofix is only safer because it is more difficult to put it in wrong. So if it fit the new car (may not as buckle crunch can be a issue. My friend had that car seat it went in her zafira but not mine. My car seat said on it you shouldn't use it more than five years. Plastics degrade in sunlight. A car seat spends it life in the sun. If you son is only just going in the seat I would get a new seat if he only had a couple of mouths until he is out of it I wouldn't. My girls now have kidfix carseat they are great as you don't have to strap them in when they ar not in the car.

[ArseHolio]

ah cool thanks

The carseat has spend most of the last 2 years in the loft, not getting much sunlight. I am more inclined to believe that the 5 year thing is to guilt trip people in to buying new car seats than that the plastic actually degrades over as little time as 5 years anyway.. plasic takes thousands and thousands of years to biodegrade.

I was kind of hoping not to have to buy a new one to be honest.

[kellyatbabyguds]

You don't have to buy a new isofix seat but you would need to make sure that the seat you have will fit in your new car. They also advise you to change your carseat after the 5 years as technology and safety advances can leave an old seat lacking current safety features as well as the reasons castleonthehill mentioned above.

[raindroprhyme]

get the local road traffic unit to check your seat in the new car. they willlet you know if you need a new seat.