Used smart 1: Buyer's Guide
The smart 1 marks a bold reinvention of the brand, offering a premium and engaging electric driving experience. It wraps you in a futuristic and comfortable cabin, making every journey feel effortless and connected. This is all backed by an impressive 273-mile WLTP range and the reassurance of a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
Used smart 1 Popular Trims
Pro: Surrounds you with tech, including a stunning 12.8-inch floating screen and a 360-degree camera. It's excellent value, powered by a 49kWh battery.
Pro+: The sweet spot in the range. It offers the same fantastic tech but unlocks longer adventures by upgrading to the larger 66kWh battery for a 260-mile range.
Premium: Elevates the experience with a panoramic glass roof, a concert-quality Beats sound system, and the convenience of faster 22kW AC charging capability.
Brabus: The ultimate expression of style and power, with unique styling, Alcantara-trimmed seats, and breathtaking acceleration from its 422hp dual-motor setup.
Used smart 1 Popular Drivetrains
Running Costs:
As a zero-emission vehicle, road tax is minimal. Insurance starts from a reasonable group 30.
Running Costs:
It still benefits from low EV running costs, though the insurance group rises to 38 to reflect its high-performance nature.
Used smart 1 Practicality
The smart 1's clever design creates a surprisingly spacious and airy cabin for its size.
Passenger Space: A flat floor and sliding rear seats mean there's plenty of room for friends and family to travel in complete comfort.
Boot Space: Provides a useful 313 litres of boot space, which is ample for weekly shops, with a wide opening that makes loading a breeze.
Towing Capacity: A braked towing capacity of 1,600kg is impressive for a compact EV, adding a layer of versatile performance.
Used smart 1 Key Features
Key Features:
Stunning 12.8-inch central touchscreen with animated fox assistant
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
360-degree camera
Heated Front Seats
Adaptive Cruise Control
Desirable Options:
Full-length panoramic glass roof
Beats 13-speaker sound system for an immersive audio experience
Head-Up Display
Automatic parking assist system
Used smart 1 Reliability Rating
Built on Geely's proven SEA platform, the smart 1 has a solid engineering foundation designed for durability, while over-the-air updates ensure the technology stays current.
What to Check on a Test Drive:
Brake Feel: Test the different regenerative braking modes to find the one that suits your driving style.
Steering Weight: Explore the steering settings (Light, Medium, Heavy) to feel how it alters the car's responsiveness.
Tyre Condition: Check the condition of the 19-inch tyres, ensuring they are a premium brand to maintain the car's handling balance.
Used smart 1 Safety Rating
The smart 1's 5-star Euro NCAP rating from 2022 is a testament to its modern, high-strength steel construction. The comprehensive suite of standard driver aids, known as the smart Pilot, works effectively without being intrusive, complementing the car's dynamic abilities.
Awards for the Used smart 1
Red Dot Design Award
iF Design Award
Who is the Used smart 1 Best For?
Style-conscious drivers who appreciate beautiful design and a tech-filled cabin.
Keen drivers who want an engaging and fun-to-drive EV with a premium feel.
Buyers seeking low running costs and the benefits of a zero-emission vehicle.
Key Alternatives to Consider:
Frequently Asked Questions about the Used smart 1
How can I check the battery health of a used Smart 1?
A qualified technician can perform a comprehensive battery health check to give you complete peace of mind.
State of Health (SoH) Report: Ask for a full diagnostic report which shows the battery's remaining capacity as a percentage of its original performance.
Warranty Confirmation: The vehicle's 8-year, 125,000-mile battery warranty status can be checked against its registration date.
Charging History Review: A technician can often review the car's charging history to ensure it has been charged optimally.
What is the real-world winter range of a Smart 1?
While the official WLTP range for a Smart 1 with the 66kWh battery is up to 273 miles, real-world winter range will vary based on conditions and driving style.
Pre-Conditioning: Heating the cabin while the car is still plugged in is the most effective way to preserve battery range in cold weather.
Efficient Driving: Smooth acceleration and making use of the regenerative braking modes will significantly improve efficiency.
Tyre Pressures: Ensure tyres are inflated to the correct pressures, as cold weather can cause them to drop, increasing rolling resistance.
How much does it cost to fully charge a Smart 1 at home?
The cost to charge a Smart 1 at home depends entirely on your home electricity tariff, but it offers very competitive running costs.
Cost Calculation: The cost is your electricity rate (in pence per kWh) multiplied by the battery size (66kWh).
EV Tariffs: Using a dedicated off-peak EV electricity tariff is the most cost-effective way to charge, significantly lowering the cost compared to a standard rate.
Rapid Charging: When you're on the move, the Smart 1's 150kW rapid charging capability can add over 200 miles of range in under 30 minutes.
Does the Smart 1 battery warranty transfer to a second owner?
Yes, the comprehensive battery warranty provided by Smart is fully transferable to subsequent owners.
Warranty Duration: The high-voltage battery is covered for 8 years or 125,000 miles, whichever comes first, from the date of initial registration.
Guaranteed Performance: The warranty guarantees the battery will maintain a minimum of 70% of its original capacity over the warranty period.
Confirming Status: Our Vertu colleagues can confirm the exact expiry date of the battery warranty for any specific used Smart 1.
What are the typical annual servicing costs for a Smart 1?
The annual servicing costs for a Smart 1 are generally lower than for an equivalent petrol or diesel car.
Fewer Moving Parts: As a pure electric vehicle, there is no engine oil, spark plugs, or filters to replace, reducing maintenance requirements.
Service Focus: Routine servicing focuses on inspecting items like brakes, suspension, tyres, and checking the battery's cooling system.
Service Plans: Vertu offers flexible service plans that allow you to spread the cost of routine maintenance into manageable monthly payments.
Does the Smart 1 support both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Yes, the Smart 1 features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard across the range.
Seamless Connection: Your smartphone connects wirelessly to the car's 12.8-inch central touchscreen.
Familiar Apps: You can use your preferred apps for navigation, music, and podcasts directly through the car's intuitive interface.
Voice Control: Activate Siri or Google Assistant for safe, hands-free control while driving.
How do the over-the-air software updates work for the Smart 1?
The Smart 1 is designed to improve over time with regular over-the-air (OTA) software updates.
Automatic Downloads: The vehicle will automatically download the latest software in the background when it has an internet connection.
Simple Installation: You will receive a notification on the central screen to approve the installation, which can be scheduled for a convenient time.
New Features: These updates can deliver everything from new infotainment features to enhancements in vehicle performance and efficiency.
What type of charging cable is supplied with a used Smart 1?
A used Smart 1 is typically supplied with a Type 2 charging cable, which is the standard for home and public AC charging.
Home Wallbox Charging: This cable is used to connect your Smart 1 to a home wallbox, providing convenient overnight charging.
Public AC Chargers: The Type 2 connector is the European standard, used at thousands of public charging locations across the UK.
Rapid Charging: For DC rapid charging, the charging station provides its own tethered CCS cable, so you do not need your own.
Can you adjust the level of regenerative braking on the Smart 1?
Yes, the Smart 1 allows you to easily adjust the level of regenerative braking to suit your personal driving style.
Touchscreen Control: The settings can be accessed through the vehicle menu on the large 12.8-inch central touchscreen.
Standard Mode: This provides a light level of regeneration, making the car feel similar to a conventional automatic car when you lift off the accelerator.
Strong Mode: This mode provides a much more noticeable braking effect, enabling 'one-pedal driving' which is ideal for town and city traffic.
