Save money at the pumps with a used smart car

As fuel prices continue to rise, one way to save money at the pumps is to invest in a used smart.

The smart fortwo is one of the most frugal cars to run in terms of fuel economy, with combined fuel consumption of more than 60 mpg. In addition, a recent Which? report on car running costs identified the smart fortwo as one of the most economical small cars to run.

More and more customers are realising this is a smart way forward as DVLA statistics show that sales of used smart cars have gone up dramatically during 2005. In the second quarter of the year almost 3,300 smart cars were sold, up 25% on the previous year and outstripping overall used car transactions by 21%.

There are also more than 70,000 searches every month for used cars on the locator section of the smart web site.

Jeremy Simpson, head of smart in the UK and Ireland, said: "Demand is high for used fortwo models and cars move very quickly. Retailers are reporting increased interest in early smart models, including left hand drive cars. Many of them are not in stock long enough to be advertised and are being snapped up before the engine has had a chance to go cold."

The recent announcement about a reduction in insurance premiums puts the entry level fortwo pure into the lowest insurance group (1E), and makes the range of cars even more attractive, particularly for younger drivers.

The smart’s unique plastic body panels are resistant to scratches and dents which means older cars are usually found in good condition, even if they have high mileage. Used smart buyers can change the colour of their panels by buying a new set or swapping them via thesmartclub panel zone.

Example 1
An early RHD fortwo pure, 2002, 54,000 miles, £2950 (price new £6295)
smart of York

Example 2
An early RHD fortwo pulse, 2002, 33,500 miles, £3895 (price new £7295)
smart of West Midlands