The Smart #1 is a compact electric SUV developed by the Mercedes-Benz and Geely joint venture. UK sales began in summer 2023 at £35,950 to £43,450. Lower-priced 49 kWh Pure and Pro versions arrived later. New and ex-demo examples make up about two-thirds of Smart #1 adverts, leaving a small used market. We explain the versions, a recall worth checking, warranty cover, owner reports and prices to pay. You will find a print-out checklist at the end.
- Steep depreciation: a 2024 66 kWh example is advertised around £21,000, against £35,950–£43,450 new.
- Short car warranty, long battery cover: 3 years on the car (unlimited mileage) but 8 years / 125,000 miles on the battery.
- A recall to check: a seat belt buckle recall affects #1s produced between June 2022 and December 2024.
- Small used market: be prepared to travel, or look at discounted new examples.
Which #1 are you looking at?
- Pro+ (66 kWh): 272PS rear-wheel drive, 260 miles WLTP, panoramic roof, 360-degree camera, heated seats.
- Premium (66 kWh): adds Beats audio, head-up display and matrix LED lighting, with 273 miles.
- BRABUS (66 kWh): 428PS four-wheel drive, reaching 0–62 mph in 3.9 seconds.
- Pure and Pro (49 kWh, later): the same 272PS motor, paired with a smaller battery and reduced range.
The 66 kWh versions accept up to 150 kW DC and 22 kW AC. For 49 kWh versions, those figures are 130 kW and 7.4 kW. Complete specifications are on the Smart #1 page.
Recalls: check this first
Seat belt buckle: the government recall list records a campaign affecting 2,494 Smart #1 and #3 cars produced between June 2022 and December 2024. Ask a Smart dealer to confirm the work has been completed, alongside details of any other service campaigns still outstanding. Check the individual vehicle using GOV.UK’s recall checker.
Warranty
Smart covers the car for 3 years with unlimited mileage, the high-voltage battery for 8 years or 125,000 miles, with motor and other high-voltage components covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles. Early cars have already reached the end of their car warranty:
- Registered 2023: car covered to 2026; battery to 2031.
- Registered 2024: car covered to 2027; battery to 2032.
- Registered 2025: car covered to 2028; battery to 2033.
Realistic range
Our estimates for typical cars of each age use the battery-ageing model applied throughout the rest of EVcarsguide:
| Car | Summer | Year-round | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Pro+ (66 kWh) | 210 miles | 185 miles | 155 miles |
| 2024 BRABUS (66 kWh, AWD) | 200 miles | 176 miles | 148 miles |
These figures assume the battery has aged like a typical car’s. Gentle driving beats them, while fast motorway driving falls short.
Battery Health Estimator
Estimated condition if buying used
NMC chemistry - good longevity with proper charging habits
Estimates based on battery chemistry and age. Chemistry-based estimate. Actual health varies with charging habits, climate, and usage.
What owners report
We read UK owner forums and owner reviews, which repeatedly highlight the same points and recurring themes:
- Comfortable and well made: quiet, settled driving, a cabin with a premium feel and generous equipment. The BRABUS delivers very strong performance.
- Early-car faults: sticking or faulty pop-out door handles, plus a hum from rear axle bearings or motor mounts on some cars, both repaired under warranty. Check the handles and listen for a hum on the test drive.
- The app: the Hello Smart app attracts widespread criticism for unreliability.
- Software has improved it: updates resolved delayed regenerative braking and introduced wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. Confirm that the latest updates are installed.
- Practicality: boot space is limited (moving the rear seats forward adds room), and several owners reported being unable to use Tesla Superchargers.
Read the complete summary on the Smart #1 page.
What to pay
Used Smart #1 examples are scarce, so trims are combined in the table:
| Cars | Share of adverts | Median asking | Typical range | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 66 kWh (all trims) | 29% | £21,000 | £19,122–£22,440 | 14,751 |
| 2025 66 kWh (all trims) | 25% | £24,900 | £23,299–£28,500 | 2,000 |
| 2026 66 kWh (all trims) | 21% | £30,000 | £26,821–£31,408 | 556 |
Used or new? New and ex-demo 66 kWh examples had advertised prices around £37,000 (Pro+ from about £32,000). A 2024 example priced around £21,000 offers a substantial saving, although its car warranty expires in 2027. The #1 does not qualify for the government’s Electric Car Grant. Treat these figures as asking prices rather than valuations.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the seat belt recall been done? Are any service campaigns outstanding?
- Can the seller confirm the trim and battery version of this Smart from its vehicle records?
- When does the 3-year car warranty end?
- Which software updates have been installed, and how will the seller transfer the Smart app account?
- Was this Smart previously a demonstrator, company car or rental, and is its usage history documented?
The print-out checklist
Bring this to your viewing for the #1-specific checks. Our general used EV buyer’s guide covers the checks relevant to every used electric car.
Alternatives worth a look
- Volvo EX30: a similarly sized premium compact SUV. See our used EX30 guide.
- MG4: less expensive used, with a substantial second-hand market. See our used MG4 guide.
- BYD Atto 3: similar in size, offering a 6-year warranty. See our used Atto 3 guide.
- Kia EV3: more spacious, with a 7-year warranty. See our used EV3 guide.
Unsure whether it meets your driving needs? The EV Matchmaker matches the car against your own week, while the Used EV Finder shows the alternatives available within your budget.
Sources & further reading
- smart UK – #1 UK specification and pricing (2023)
- smart UK – warranty terms
- Euro NCAP – Smart #1 (2022)
- GOV.UK – Check if a vehicle has been recalled
Founder of EVcarsguide. Web technologist and data specialist tracking the UK EV market.
