Illegal car seats still being sold by major online marketplaces, investigation reveals
Warning issued over ‘killer’ child car seats sold online
- Illegal and potentially lethal car seats are being widely sold on online marketplaces, including eBay, Shein, and Wish, despite being identified over a decade ago.
- Consumer champion Which? found these knock-off products do not comply with UK safety regulations, lacking essential features like side impact protection and central release functions.
- A 2014 test by Britax demonstrated the severe danger, showing a crash dummy being ejected through the windscreen due to strap failure during a 30mph impact.
- These unsafe car seats are significantly cheaper than genuine products, ranging from £12.50 to £40, making them attractive to parents facing cost of living pressures.
- Which? is urging the government to strengthen product safety laws, imposing greater legal responsibility on online marketplaces for items sold on their platforms.