Kidora Parent Hub

Buying and Selling Preloved Highchairs

Highchairs can remain useful after one family has finished with them, but they need careful checks because the frame, harness, tray, folding mechanism and footrest all contribute to safe use.

A highchair that looks clean may still be unsuitable if it is unstable, incomplete, recalled, damaged or assembled incorrectly.

This guide explains what buyers and sellers should check before a preloved highchair is listed, purchased, collected, delivered or used.

Trusted UK Highchair and First-Aid Links

• UK Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls
• Child Accident Prevention Trust highchair and falls guidance
• NHS guidance on helping a choking child

Identify the Exact Highchair

Before buying or selling, find:

• Manufacturer or brand
• Product name
• Exact model or version
• Batch or serial number where available
• Approximate manufacturing or purchase date
• Maximum child weight

Labels may appear:

• Under the seat
• On the rear frame
• Near the folding mechanism
• Under the tray
• On a sewn-in label

Check Official Product Recalls

Search the official UK Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls database.

Use the brand, model, batch number and product category.

Do not buy, sell, give away or use an affected highchair contrary to the official instructions.

Find the Correct Manufacturer Instructions

The exact manual may confirm:

• Assembly
• Harness use
• Tray attachment
• Folding and locking
• Height and recline positions
• Maximum child weight
• Cleaning
• Approved accessories

Do not use instructions for a similar model.

Check the Frame

Inspect the frame in good light.

Look for:

• Cracks
• Bends
• Corrosion
• Loose joints
• Missing screws or rivets
• Damaged welds
• Unapproved repairs

Do not use or sell a highchair with structural damage or an uncertain repair.

Check Stability

Place the highchair on a flat floor and check that:

• All feet contact the floor
• The frame does not rock excessively
• The chair does not lean
• Legs lock into position
• Wheels lock where fitted

Do not try to correct instability with makeshift pads or altered feet.

Check Folding Mechanisms

For folding highchairs, confirm that:

• The chair opens and closes normally
• Locks engage fully
• Release buttons are not damaged
• The chair cannot collapse unexpectedly
• There is no excessive movement at the joint

Do not use a highchair with an unreliable folding lock.

Use the Restraint Every Time

The Child Accident Prevention Trust advises getting into the habit of strapping a child into a highchair every time. A tray is not a substitute for the restraint system designed for the chair.

A buyer should confirm that every required strap, buckle and crotch restraint is present, undamaged and routed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Parents and carers should learn paediatric first aid. An intact restraint can still be released quickly if a choking emergency occurs.

Inspect the Harness

Check:

• All required straps are present
• Webbing is not cut, frayed or stretched
• Stitching is secure
• The buckle closes and releases correctly
• Adjusters move and hold position
• The harness is routed as shown in the instructions

Do not replace the harness with an unrelated or homemade alternative.

Check the Crotch Restraint

Many highchairs use a crotch strap, fixed post or integrated restraint to help prevent the child sliding under the tray.

Confirm that:

• It is present
• It is securely attached
• It matches the exact model
• It is used as directed

Check the Tray

Inspect:

• Tray surface
• Edges
• Attachment points
• Adjustment positions
• Release buttons
• Removable inserts

The tray should lock securely and should not be relied upon as the only restraint unless the manufacturer specifically states otherwise.

Check the Seat

Inspect:

• Seat shell
• Backrest
• Recline mechanism
• Padding
• Cover attachment
• Harness openings

Check for cracks, tears, exposed foam, broken adjustment parts and missing covers.

Check the Footrest

Confirm that:

• The footrest is present where required
• It attaches securely
• Adjustment points work
• It is not cracked or bent

Check Height Adjustment

For adjustable highchairs, test every height position.

Check that:

• Both sides lock at the same level
• The seat does not slip
• Indicators align correctly
• Release controls are undamaged

Check Recline Positions

If the chair reclines, confirm:

• Every position locks securely
• The mechanism does not release unexpectedly
• The position is approved for the child’s age and use

Do not assume a reclining highchair is suitable for sleeping.

A Highchair Is Not a Sleep Space

Do not describe or use a highchair as an alternative to a cot, Moses basket or other appropriate sleep space, even where the seat reclines.

Follow the manufacturer’s age, developmental and position guidance and supervise the child during use.

Check Wheels and Castors

If wheels are fitted, inspect:

• Secure attachment
• Locks or brakes
• Cracks
• Excessive movement
• Missing caps or fixings

Check Seat Covers and Inserts

Confirm that:

• The cover matches the exact model
• Harness slots align correctly
• No unapproved padding has been added
• Required inserts are present
• All fastenings work

Clean the Highchair Appropriately

Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.

Clean:

• Tray
• Seat surface
• Harness
• Frame joints
• Footrest
• Hidden areas under removable covers

Do not soak components or use harsh chemicals where prohibited.

Check for Mould and Food Residue

Inspect:

• Under seat covers
• Inside seams
• Around tray locks
• Under the seat
• Inside folding joints

Do not sell or use a highchair affected by mould, contamination or persistent damp.

Ask About the Highchair’s History

Buyers may ask:

• Was it bought new?
• How long was it used?
• Has it been repaired?
• Has any harness or buckle been replaced?
• How was it stored?
• Why is it being sold?

Check Age and Weight Limits

Follow the exact manufacturer guidance for:

• Minimum developmental stage
• Maximum child weight
• Use of recline positions
• Harness requirements

Do not rely on age alone.

Buying a Highchair Online

Before purchasing, check:

• Exact model
• Maximum child weight
• Condition
• Harness and buckle
• Tray
• Folding locks
• Height and recline mechanisms
• Included accessories
• Collection or delivery options

Questions Buyers Should Ask

• Is every original strap and buckle present?
• Does the tray lock correctly?
• Does the chair fold and lock safely?
• Are there cracks or repairs?
• Are the instructions available?
• Are all covers and inserts included?
• What is the exact model and weight limit?

Inspecting at Local Collection

At collection:

• Compare the highchair with the listing
• Read model labels
• Check frame stability
• Test folding locks
• Test the harness and buckle
• Attach and remove the tray
• Check height and recline positions
• Confirm all accessories

Do not feel pressured to accept an incomplete or unstable highchair.

Selling a Highchair

A useful listing should include:

• Brand and exact model
• Approximate age
• Maximum child weight
• Condition
• Harness and buckle condition
• Tray condition
• Folding, height and recline functions
• Included inserts and accessories
• Repairs or replacement parts
• Instructions
• Collection or delivery details

Use Kidora’s Correct Condition Labels

Kidora currently uses:

• New
• Like New
• Very Good
• Good
• Well Used

Select the closest condition and describe scratches, stains, worn covers, repairs, missing accessories and mechanical faults separately.

Photograph a Highchair Clearly

Include photographs of:

• Full front, rear and side views
• Frame and legs
• Folding joints
• Harness and buckle
• Tray and locks
• Footrest
• Seat and cover
• Brand and model labels
• All accessories
• Every stain, crack, repair or worn area

Describe Missing Parts Clearly

State when any of the following are absent:

• Harness
• Tray insert
• Footrest
• Seat cover
• Newborn insert
• Wheels
• Instructions

Do not describe a highchair as complete unless all required parts are present.

Pricing a Preloved Highchair

Consider:

• Current retail price
• Brand and model
• Condition
• Age
• Completeness
• Included accessories
• Transport difficulty
• Comparable UK listings

Premium or convertible highchairs may retain more value, but the original price does not determine the current resale price.

Do Not Sell an Unsafe Highchair Cheaply

A low price does not make the following suitable for sale:

• Broken harnesses
• Cracked frames
• Unreliable folding locks
• Unstable legs
• Missing safety restraints
• Unresolved recalls

Packaging and Delivery

If delivery is offered:

• Follow the manufacturer’s dismantling guidance
• Protect the frame and tray
• Secure straps and removable parts
• Keep fixings in a labelled bag
• Use strong packaging
• Use tracked delivery
• Retain proof of postage

Large highchairs may be more practical for local collection.

Local Collection

For collection:

• Keep arrangements in Kidora messages
• Allow reasonable inspection
• Provide all accessories and instructions
• Demonstrate folding and locking mechanisms
• Mark the order as collected after handover

Highchairs on Kidora

Parents can browse preloved highchairs listed by families across the UK on Kidora.

Listings may include folding highchairs, wooden highchairs, convertible models, booster-style feeding seats and compatible accessories where sellers describe exactly what is included.

Sellers pay no selling fees and keep 100% of the item sale price. Buyers pay a Buyer Protection fee on paid purchases, shown before checkout.

Local collection can be useful for checking frame stability, harnesses, trays, folding locks and adjustment mechanisms before handover.

Parents may also list a suitable highchair for £0 as FREE. FREE Kidora listings are collection-only and do not include a Buyer Protection fee, but the same safety and condition checks still apply.

A Highchair Checklist

• Identify the exact model
• Check official recalls
• Find the correct instructions
• Inspect frame stability
• Test folding locks
• Check harness and buckle
• Check tray and crotch restraint
• Test height and recline positions
• Confirm all accessories
• Disclose repairs and faults

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to buy a preloved highchair?

It may be suitable when the exact model is identified, recalls are checked, the frame is stable, all restraints and locks work correctly and all required parts are present.

What should I test at collection?

Check frame stability, folding locks, harness, buckle, tray, footrest, height adjustment and recline positions.

Can a highchair be used without the harness?

Follow the exact manufacturer instructions. Where the harness is required, the highchair should not be used without it.

Can I replace a broken buckle with a universal one?

Do not use unrelated replacement buckles. Use only manufacturer-approved parts for the exact model.

Can highchairs be listed as FREE on Kidora?

Yes. FREE items are collection-only and have no Buyer Protection fee, but they must still be complete, accurately described and suitable for continued use.