# Dacia Spring — Used Car Buying Guide AutoScout's analysis of the Dacia Spring on the UK used-car market. Backed by 33 million DVSA MOT tests, current AutoTrader pricing, and depreciation curves derived from CAP/Glass's Guide data. Live interactive report: https://autoscout.fyi/cars/dacia-spring ## Verdict - **Best value year**: 2023 - **Ideal trim**: Expression - **Target mileage**: 30,000–40,000 miles - **Max previous owners**: 2 - **Target price**: £7,000 ## Why this model The Dacia Spring is a no-frills electric city car, designed for maximum affordability. While it only officially launched in the UK in 2024, earlier 2023 models from mainland Europe might start appearing on the used market, offering a very budget-friendly entry into EV ownership. It's a great choice if you need a very cheap-to-run EV primarily for short, urban journeys. Don't expect luxury, high performance, or long-distance capability, but it delivers basic electric motoring at a price point few others can match. Its 1-star Euro NCAP safety rating from 2021 is a significant point to consider, especially if safety is a top priority. ## What you should pay The Dacia Spring is a unique proposition as a budget EV. For a 2023 model (likely an early import), we're targeting around £7,000. This price reflects the general softening of the used EV market and the Spring's positioning as an ultra-affordable option. Given its recent arrival in the UK and the general volatility in used EV pricing, expect a potential price range of £5,600-£8,400. This represents significant value for a relatively new EV, but it's crucial to factor in its limitations. ## Which trim to buy The 'Expression' trim hits the sweet spot for value. It offers a few more creature comforts and tech features than the basic 'Essential' without jumping up to the 'Extreme' trim's higher price tag, which primarily adds a bit more power and some aesthetic touches that might not be worth the extra cash for a budget city car. You get the essentials you need for daily driving without paying for things you might not use. ## What to check before you buy - Battery degradation: The air-cooled battery system is less efficient at managing temperature, which can lead to faster degradation than liquid-cooled EVs. Always request a battery health check (SoH) and aim for above 75% SoH. - Slow charging: Max DC charging is only 30kW, meaning rapid charging takes a long time. It's best suited for home overnight charging. - Basic interior and features: Don't expect premium materials or advanced tech. It's built to a budget. - Limited range: The 24.3kWh usable battery offers a real-world range of around 100-110 miles, making it unsuitable for regular long journeys. - Low safety rating: The 1-star Euro NCAP rating is a significant concern for some buyers. ## Running costs Running an electric Dacia Spring is super cheap, especially if you can charge at home overnight. Based on real-world efficiency of about 4.4 mi/kWh: if you're on a standard home electricity rate (around 24.5p/kWh), it'll cost you about 5.6p per mile, which is roughly £556 a year for 10,000 miles. But if you switch to a smart EV tariff like Octopus Go or Intelligent Octopus (around 9p/kWh overnight), that drops to a fantastic 2p per mile, costing only about £204 a year for 10,000 miles – saving you around £352 annually! Just remember, public rapid chargers are much more expensive (15.9–19.3p/mile), so try to avoid relying on them. Road tax for EVs is free until April 2025, then it's £195 per year. Insurance should be relatively low due to its small size and power, but always get a few quotes. ## Key stats - **Fuel Type**: Electric - **Horsepower**: 44 hp - **Mpg**: N/A - **Reliability Score**: Average for its class - **Safety Rating**: 1-star Euro NCAP (2021) ## Trim comparison | Trim | Price new | Price used | Key features | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Essential | £14,995 | £6,500 | 44 hp electric motor; DAB radio; Manual air conditioning | | Expression | £15,995 | £7,000 | 44 hp electric motor; 7-inch touchscreen infotainment; Rear parking sensors | | Extreme | £16,995 | £7,500 | 65 hp electric motor; Copper interior accents; Specific exterior styling | ## Depreciation forecast | Year | Estimated value | Retention | | --- | --- | --- | | 2026 | £7,000 | 0% | | 2027 | £6,000 | 14.3% | | 2028 | £5,000 | 16.7% | | 2029 | £4,200 | 16% | | 2030 | £3,500 | 16.7% | The Dacia Spring, especially a 2023 model, has already taken a significant hit in depreciation from its new price, making now a good 'sweet spot' to buy. However, as a budget EV with an air-cooled battery, it will likely continue to depreciate steadily, so don't expect it to hold its value like some premium EVs. Buying it at this stage means you're letting the first owner absorb the steepest drop. Total value lost since new: 50%. ## Alternatives to consider - Renault Zoe (52kWh) - MG ZS EV (older models) - Vauxhall Corsa-e --- Source: AutoScout (https://autoscout.fyi). Part of a review of the UK used-car market across 500+ models.