# Smart #3 — Used Car Buying Guide AutoScout's analysis of the Smart #3 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-3 ## Verdict - **Best value year**: 2025 - **Ideal trim**: Premium - **Target mileage**: 5,000–15,000 miles - **Max previous owners**: 1 - **Target price**: £27,500 ## Why this model ⚠️ Limited UK data — Smart only arrived in the UK in late 2023/early 2024, so we have fewer MOT tests and less resale history than established brands. The Smart #3 is a really stylish and modern electric SUV, offering a great blend of design, technology, and performance. It's built on Geely's SEA platform, shared with other modern EVs, which is a good sign for its underlying tech. You get a decent 273 miles (WLTP) range from its 62kWh liquid-cooled battery, which is competitive for its class. The backing of Mercedes-Benz (for design) and Geely (for engineering and manufacturing) suggests a solid product, and it's expected to achieve a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, similar to its sibling, the Smart #1. The manufacturer warranty is 3 years/unlimited mileage for the vehicle and 8 years/100,000 miles for the battery, which provides good peace of mind. ## What you should pay The Smart #3 is a very new model, so finding used examples from 2025 in early 2026 will mean paying a price that's still quite close to new. Given the limited UK data for this specific model and brand's recent entry, there's a wider uncertainty band of ±20% on our price estimates. We've anchored our target price for a 2025 Premium model around £27,500, which reflects an initial depreciation from its new price of around £36,500. Prices will vary significantly based on mileage, condition, and specific options. ## Which trim to buy The Premium trim hits a sweet spot for value. It builds on the Pro+ with desirable upgrades like a panoramic sunroof, a Beats sound system, a head-up display, and more advanced driver assistance features, making it feel much more luxurious and tech-packed without jumping to the significantly higher price and performance focus of the Brabus model. It offers the best balance of features, comfort, and range for most buyers. ## What to check before you buy - As a very new model to the UK, long-term common issues are not yet established. When viewing, check the general condition of the interior and exterior for any signs of wear or damage. - Ensure all infotainment features and driver-assist systems work correctly, as these can be complex. - Check the charging port for any damage and confirm the car comes with both home charging cables (Type 2) and ideally a public charging cable. - Ask about the battery health (SoH - State of Health) if possible, though for a 1-year-old car, it should be near new. The liquid-cooled battery system is a positive for longevity. - Look for any unusual noises during a test drive, especially from the suspension or brakes. ## Running costs Running an electric car like the Smart #3 can be very cost-effective, especially if you charge at home. Based on a real-world efficiency of about 3.4 mi/kWh and 10,000 miles a year: if you're on a standard home electricity rate (around 24.5p/kWh), it'll cost you about 7.1p/mile, or roughly £713 a year. However, if you switch to a smart EV tariff like Octopus Go or Intelligent Octopus (around 9p/kWh overnight), that drops to about 2.6p/mile, or just £262 a year – a saving of around £451 annually! Road tax for EVs is free until April 2025, but from then on, it's £195 per year. Insurance costs can be a bit higher for newer EVs, so get a few quotes. Public rapid charging (70-85p/kWh) is much more expensive at 20.6–25p/mile, so try to rely on home charging for daily use. ## Key stats - **Fuel Type**: Electric - **Horsepower**: 272 hp - **Mpg**: N/A (Electric) - **Reliability Score**: Good (based on European market data for similar Chinese EVs) - **Safety Rating**: 5-star Euro NCAP (2022 for Smart #1, similar platform) ## Trim comparison | Trim | Price new | Price used | Key features | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pro | £32,500 | £24,500 | 62kWh battery; 272 hp RWD; 273 miles WLTP range | | Premium | £36,500 | £27,500 | All Pro+ features; Panoramic sunroof; Beats sound system | | Brabus | £45,500 | £34,000 | 66kWh battery; 428 hp AWD; 258 miles WLTP range | ## Depreciation forecast | Year | Estimated value | Retention | | --- | --- | --- | | 2026 | £27,500 | 100% | | 2027 | £23,375 | 85% | | 2028 | £20,570 | 74.8% | | 2029 | £18,513 | 67.3% | | 2030 | £17,032 | 61.9% | Given the Smart #3 is a very new model, its initial depreciation will be quite steep, especially in the first 1-2 years. The 'sweet spot' for buying one used, where the steepest depreciation has already occurred, would likely be around 2-3 years old (so, a 2024 or 2025 model in 2027-2028). However, as a new brand, its long-term depreciation curve is less predictable than established players, so expect some volatility. Buying a 1-year-old model (like a 2025 in 2026) means you're still taking a significant hit on that initial depreciation, but you get a nearly-new car. Total value lost since new: 38.06%. ## Alternatives to consider - MG4 EV - [Cupra Born](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/cupra-born.md) - [Volkswagen ID.3](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/volkswagen-id3.md) --- Source: AutoScout (https://autoscout.fyi). Part of a review of the UK used-car market across 500+ models.