Before you buy a used Smart fortwo (451).
Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.
The essentials.
- 7 documented, sourced faults across its 3 engines.
- 1 of them depends on the equipment or the production date: ask what this car has.
- 5 official recalls on record: ask for the chassis number (VIN) and confirm they have been done.
- According to the data we have, the engine with the fewest documented faults is the electric drive (Electric).
Typical faults by engine
The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.
All versions
Sheets the catalogue links to all 3 of its engines.
- Period mentioned
- 2007–2014
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
- Smart fortwo (451): known faults of the chassis, steering and brakes according to L'argusSuspension and steering
- Period mentioned
- 2007–2014
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
- Smart fortwo (451): known faults of the electronics and interior according to L'argusElectrical and electronic systems
- Period mentioned
- 2007–2014
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
- Period mentioned
- 2007–2014
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
- Period mentioned
- 2007–2014
- Mileage mentioned
- What the sheet says: Listen for belt chirp and replace it in time; change the oil every 20,000 km or every year; check the exhaust and tailgate lock; read the gearbox adaptation.
Applies if: Second-generation fortwo (451), petrol and diesel engines.
1.0 (Mitsubishi)
Petrol
- Period mentioned
- 2007–2014
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
0.8 cdi
Diesel
- Period mentioned
- 2007–2014
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
electric drive
Electric
We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.
Which engine has the fewest documented faults?
| Engine | Documented faults | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 (Mitsubishi)Petrol | 61 with conditions | 5 |
| 0.8 cdiDiesel | 61 with conditions | 5 |
| electric driveElectricFewest documented | 51 with conditions | 5 |
According to the data we have, the engine with the fewest documented faults is the electric drive (Electric).
By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: Electric.
We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.
Official recalls: ask before you pay
A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.
- Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
- Ask an official Smart dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
- Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Recall: front brake-caliper carrier torqueBrakes
How to check it: Check VIN; inspect and correct torque.
View full entrySmart brake recalls (2015–2026)Brakes
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entrySmart steering recalls (2015–2017)Steering
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entrySmart fuel-system recalls (2014–2014)Fuel system
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entrySmart body, seat and fitting recalls (2008–2016)Bodywork
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryOn the test drive: what to look and listen for
Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.
0 of 7 checked
Engine
Look out for: Oil leak; Engine will not start (between 30/09/2008 and 04/02/2009); Eco mode faults on the mhd version; mhd version will not start
Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
Look out for: Abnormal oil consumption; Loss of power
Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
Gearbox
Look out for: Reverse will not engage (2007–2009); Leak at the right driveshaft (from August 2012)
Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
Suspension and steering
Look out for: Steering vibration (up to 18/03/2008); Front axle noises; Noise when turning (up to 03/11/2013)
Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
Electrical and electronic systems
Look out for: Repeated brake light switch failure; Doors will not open from inside or rattle; Air conditioning fault from a leak (up to 04/02/2008); Electric window faults; Airbag light on
Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
Bodywork
Look out for: Water gets into the boot
Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
Known weak points
Look out for: A chirp that changes with speed and a broken auxiliary belt (mhd); metallic rattle after a cold start; a rusty exhaust; a tailgate that will not open; oil sludge and leaks; harsh shifts from the automated gearbox.
Ask them to check: Listen for belt chirp and replace it in time; change the oil every 20,000 km or every year; check the exhaust and tailgate lock; read the gearbox adaptation.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.
- Smart fortwo (451) 1.0 (Mitsubishi): known faults of the engine according to L'argus
- Smart fortwo (451): known faults of the gearbox and transmission according to L'argus
- Smart fortwo (451): known faults of the chassis, steering and brakes according to L'argus
- Smart fortwo (451): known faults of the electronics and interior according to L'argus
- Smart fortwo (451): known faults of the body according to L'argus
- Smart fortwo (451) 0.8 cdi: known faults of the engine according to L'argus
- mhd belt, timing chain, exhaust and automated gearbox on the smart fortwo 451
- Recall: front brake-caliper carrier torque
- Smart brake recalls (2015–2026)
- Smart steering recalls (2015–2017)
- Smart fuel-system recalls (2014–2014)
- Smart body, seat and fitting recalls (2008–2016)
More Smart buying guides
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- Smart roadster (452)2003–2005
- Smart fortwo (450)2000–2007
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- Smart #1 / #3 / #52022–2026