“I can’t afford a fancy expensive rear facing car seat”

It’s a common belief that keeping your child rear-facing to age 4 or 5 is only possible if you spend hundreds of pounds on a top-end car seat. And while some premium seats do come with a higher price tag, safely rear-facing long term doesn’t have to cost the earth.

In fact, with the right planning and support, extended rear-facing can often be more affordable than many of the multi-stage “0-12 years” seats that seem economical at first glance.

How much do good seats really cost?

When broken down into individual stages, safe, quality car seats for each stage can be surprisingly budget-friendly. For example:

• An infant carrier like the Maxi-Cosi Cabriofix iSize can often be found around £90

• A rear-facing belt-installed seat like the Graco Slimfit R129 (22kg/105cm limit) costs about £98

• Even a rotating ISOFIX seat like the Graco Turn2Me DLX (21kg/105cm) is often around £150

• A high-limit rear-facing seat like the Britax SafeWay M (36kg/125cm) is often around £160

• A safe, belt-installed high backed booster like the Britax Adventure Plus (150cm) is just £90

That means you could keep your child safely rear-facing from birth to 125cm, and then well-protected in a high backed booster up to 150cm, for around £340 - often spread over five to ten years of use.

By comparison, many “0-12 years” all-in-one seats are more expensive upfront but offer poor fit for newborns, often have low rear-facing limits, and may need replacing earlier than advertised.

*prices as of June 2025

Tips to help reduce costs

If you’re on a tight budget, there are still great ways to make extended rear-facing work for you:

• Ask friends and family to contribute toward car seats for birthdays, Christmas, or as a group gift

• ISOFIX is not essential - seatbelt-installed rear-facing seats are just as safe when installed correctly and often more affordable

• Avoid all-in-one “birth to 12” seats, which may seem cost-effective but often underperform in real-life use

• Buy second-hand pushchairs, not car seats - this frees up more of your budget for a new, crash-safe seat

• Watch for sales and bundles from specialist retailers or brands

• Speak to a car seat specialist - they can help you find the best safety and value combination for your budget

FAQ

Are cheaper seats less safe?

Not necessarily. A well-fitted, correctly used budget-friendly seat can be far safer than a premium seat used incorrectly. Look for known, tested brands and stick to models with good crash test performance and proper support.

Can I use a second-hand car seat to save money?

It’s not recommended unless you know its full history and it’s from a trusted friend or family member (no crashes, no damage, within its recommended use period, all parts and manual included). With careful shopping, you can often find new, safe seats at similar prices to second-hand ones.

What’s the cheapest way to rear-face to age 4 or 5y+?

Look for belt-installed seats with higher limits (like 125cm/25-36kg models). These often cost less than ISOFIX seats, and offer excellent safety and longevity when used correctly.