A damning investigation by consumer champion Which? has exposed a horrifying trade in dangerously substandard child car seats, readily available to unsuspecting parents on major online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay.
The findings reveal a shocking gap in online retail safety, with products failing to meet the most basic legal standards, potentially putting young lives in extreme danger every day.
Test Results That Will Alarm Every Parent
Which? purchased a selection of car seats from third-party sellers on these platforms. The subsequent independent safety testing uncovered catastrophic failures.
One seat, the 'Leopard' model bought via Amazon, suffered a complete and catastrophic collapse during a frontal impact test. The harness tore away from the fabric, which would have meant a child being thrown violently around the vehicle's interior.
Another model, the 'Aiweiyi' from eBay, performed so poorly that experts stated it offered "no meaningful protection" whatsoever in a collision. These are not minor faults; they are fundamental, life-threatening failures.
The Illusion of Trust and Deceptive Listings
The investigation highlights a critical issue: the illusion of safety presented by these platforms. Many of the seats were deceptively listed with convincing imagery, reviews, and even counterfeit approval labels.
This creates a false sense of security for parents who trust the reputation of the website they are buying from, not realising that the marketplace model often means the platform has little responsibility for the products sold by third parties.
An Urgent Call for Action
Which? is now urging the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) to take immediate action. They are demanding that online marketplaces be given greater legal responsibility for the safety of products sold on their sites.
Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, stated: "It is unacceptable that children's safety is being put at risk by dangerous car seats sold via online marketplaces... The government must urgently give online marketplaces greater legal responsibility for the safety of products sold on their sites."
How to Stay Safe: A Parent's Checklist
To avoid these dangerous products, Which? advises parents to:
- Buy from reputable retailers: Use well-known high street or specialist online stores with a proven track record.
- Check for the 'E' mark: Look for the mandatory ECE R44/04 or R129 (i-Size) approval label on the seat itself, not just in product photos.
- Be wary of unknown brands: Extremely low prices and unfamiliar brand names are a major red flag.
- Research thoroughly: Check expert reviews from trusted sources like Which? before purchasing.
The investigation serves as a stark reminder that when it comes to child safety, vigilance is paramount. The convenience of an online purchase is never worth risking a child's life.
