Expired car seat?

Elizabeth

Anyone have experience or opinions on “expired” car seats? I’ve been reading up and the US doesn’t REQUIRE manufacturers to give expiration dates, but they are recommended.

The car seat I really want is a Britax, and very expensive. A close friend has offered me their car seat, same model, for free. But it is expired.

That makes me nervous, but for those of you who have used a car seat longer than 6 years specifically what are your opinions?