# Smart #1 — Used Car Buying Guide

AutoScout's analysis of the Smart #1 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/smart-1

## Verdict

- **Best value year**: 2023
- **Ideal trim**: Premium
- **Target mileage**: 10,000

–20,000 miles
- **Max previous owners**: 1
- **Target price**: £26,000

## Why this model

⚠️ Limited UK data 

— Smart only arrived in the UK in late 2023, so we have fewer MOT tests and less resale history than established brands. However, the Smart #1 is a really stylish and practical compact electric SUV. It's built on Geely's SEA platform (shared with Volvo EX30 and Zeekr X), which is a solid foundation, and benefits from Mercedes-Benz design input. It offers a decent range, quick charging, and a surprisingly spacious interior for its size. It's a great choice if you want something a bit different from the usual EVs, with a premium feel and good tech.

## What you should pay

The Smart #1 is a relatively new model, so used prices are still finding their footing. For a 2023 Premium model with around 10,000-20,000 miles, you should aim to pay around £26,000. Given the limited market data for this newer brand, expect a wider price range of £20,800 to £31,200. This reflects a significant drop from its new price of around £38,950, which is typical for EVs in a softening market. The 62kWh liquid-cooled battery with active thermal management means good battery health retention, with expected degradation of only ~1.8% per year.

## Which trim to buy

The Premium trim hits the sweet spot for value. It adds desirable features like a 10-inch head-up display, a Beats audio system, adaptive LED headlights, and a powered tailgate over the entry-level Pro+, without jumping to the performance-focused (and more expensive) Brabus. You get a great balance of tech, comfort, and range for a reasonable price, making it the best bang for your buck on the used market.

## What to check before you buy

- Software glitches (common in new tech cars, usually fixed with updates)
- Tyre wear (EVs can be heavy, check tyre condition)
- Charging port functionality (ensure it locks and charges correctly)
- Check for any recalls related to early production batches

## Running costs

Running an electric car like the Smart #1 can be very cheap, especially if you charge at home. Based on a real-world efficiency of ~3.4 mi/kWh:

*   **Standard home rate (24.5p/kWh):** Around 7.1p/mile, which is about £713 per year if you drive 10,000 miles.
*   **Smart EV tariff (e.g., Octopus Go/Intelligent Octopus at ~9p/kWh overnight):** Drops to about 2.6p/mile, costing roughly £262 per year for 10,000 miles. That's a saving of £451 a year!

Road tax (VED) is free for EVs until April 2025, after which it will be £195 per year. Insurance costs will vary but expect to pay between £600-£1000 annually, potentially higher for newer EV models.

## Key stats

- **Fuel Type**: Electric
- **Horsepower**: 272 hp
- **Mpg**: 3.4 mi/kWh (equivalent)
- **Reliability Score**: Good (based on Geely/Mercedes backing)
- **Safety Rating**: 5-star Euro NCAP (2022)

## Trim comparison

| Trim | Price new | Price used | Key features |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pro+ | £35,950 | £23,000 | 19-inch alloy wheels; 12.8-inch infotainment screen; 9.2-inch digital instrument cluster |
| Premium | £38,950 | £26,000 | All Pro+ features plus:; 10-inch head-up display; Beats audio system |
| Brabus | £43,450 | £30,000 | All Premium features plus:; Dual-motor AWD (428hp); Brabus styling kit |

## Depreciation forecast

| Year | Estimated value | Retention |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2026 | £26,000 | 100% |
| 2027 | £22,500 | 86.5% |
| 2028 | £19,500 | 75% |
| 2029 | £17,000 | 65.4% |
| 2030 | £15,000 | 57.7% |

For the Smart #1, the sweet spot for buying is likely around 3-4 years old (which would be 2026-2027 for a 2023 model). By this point, the initial steep depreciation has occurred, and you're getting a significant discount from new. The battery, being liquid-cooled, should still have excellent health (around 91% SoH at 5 years), offering good range for years to come. Selling after 2-3 years of ownership (around 2028-2029) would mean you've absorbed the worst of the depreciation while still having a relatively modern EV.

Total value lost since new: 42.3%.

## Alternatives to consider

- MG4
- [Cupra Born](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/cupra-born.md)
- [VW ID.3](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/volkswagen-id3.md)

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Source: AutoScout (https://autoscout.fyi). Part of a review of the UK used-car market across 500+ models.