What Car? Q&A - What happened to eight-seat Previa?

Q: I’m looking to buy a Toyota Previa, and thought that you could buy an eight-seat version. However, my local dealer says that the car only comes as a seven-seater. Can I get the eighth seat as an option?
Miles Unwin

A: Until the middle of last year the Previa came with eight seats as standard, however one of the seats was fitted with a lap belt. From April 2002, all newly designed cars had to use three-point belts throughout, and from October 1, 2004 it became law for all new cars to only have three-point belts fitted.

Three-point seatbelts offer far better protection. During an accident, the wearer’s shoulder, chest and abdomen will take the forces of the impact, whereas with a lap belt, the abdomen must take all the forces alone. Head injuries are also less likely if the upper body is restrained.

Toyota decided to remove the lap belt, and not replace it with a three-point version. This meant it could not call the car an eight-seater, because it only had seven seats with seatbelts.

Both types of belt are still legal, so you could buy a used Previa, made before that date, and stay on the right side of the law. Just bear in mind the safety compromises.