Buying a used SMART car - UK or CH?

Castro · #1 30.11.2007, 13:21

Here in the UK Smart cars are cheap, plentiful and most of the earlier ones are LHD. Therefore I would love to buy one here and ship it to Switzerland when I move in March. But reading some of the other threads it seems that this could be more hassle that its worth + I'll have to pay tax (<6 months old) so I might bite the bullet and buy one out there.

Can anyone therefore recommend good sites to check for used cars? I'm only looking for private sales since I can't stand dealers and their ridiculous mark ups

TIA

tomcat · #2 30.11.2007, 14:26

Used cars in Swissieland:

http://www.autoscout24.ch

http://www.car4you.ch

(not that this hasn't been covered, ever)

Castro · #3 01.12.2007, 03:08

Cheers Tomcat, but am I missing something because most of the cars seem to be trade. Is there somewhere where you can find more private sales?

TIA

AbFab · #4 01.12.2007, 09:11

The vehcile is actually called 'a Smart'. Without the word 'car'. I know this is using an adjective as a noun, like 'a handy'. You don't say 'Mercedes car' or 'Ford car' - except 'Ford Ka'....

peachy · #5 11.04.2008, 15:33

	Quote:	smartcar123
	The buying a used smart car is for used cars have become a very important and profitable segment of the car market. the rising cost of of gas and car maintenance, you need a car to do everything, from running errands to picking up your kids at school. So you need to find a good bargain on the car that you want to purchase in order to offset the cost of gas and maintenance.for more information on this invention,I found this link very helpful:

Thanks for letting the people of Europe know what a Smart car is.

sharon · #6 11.04.2008, 16:22

I'd buy it here. They won't renew or extend the waranty on a british car nor will you be able to trade it in when you want to get rid of it as no one wants a right hander...

I know you don't want to buy from a dealer but you may be able to get a good discount which would take away some of the pain - ask your new employer as most seem to have these discounts

I'd like one of the little smarts but have 2 kids... oh well

S

gbn · #7 11.04.2008, 16:37

	Quote:	peachy
	Thanks for letting the people of Europe know what a Smart car is.

Reported as possible SPAM...

CH_Me · #8 11.04.2008, 16:46

Two of my colleagues with Smart cars needed to replace the engines at around the 75,000 kms mark. They thought they got a bargain then needed spend 2k+ on repairs within the first year of owning the car.

peachy · #9 11.04.2008, 16:49

	Quote:	MarieZug
	Two of my colleagues with Smart cars needed to replace the engines at around the 75,000 kms mark. They thought they got a bargain then needed spend 2k+ on repairs within the first year of owning the car.

I sold mine in the UK with 60,000 miles on the clock and it was still running like a beaut

nickolas · #10 12.04.2008, 07:57

When buying a used smart, opt for the ones with the 700cc engines and avoid the older models with the 600cc engine.

You can distinquish them by the shape of the headlights.

600cc

700cc

600cc are said to last only 100k km (depending on usage).
Revized 700cc engines are quite reliable.

volodymyr · #11 03.11.2009, 20:16

Regarding Smart, I have to warn you. Most of them have a turbine which usually dies at 100k of km. So, buying a used Smart with kilometrage less than 50k is a good option.

Otherwise, most likely, there is a chance to spend money on reperation of turbine. Also, take into consideration that the Smart engines are of low volume, that it is, "engine resources" are limited, and most likely the Smart engine would not last more than 150k of km.

Good luck with the car!