Common Smart Problems

The second-generation Smart Forfour (Type 453) returned to the brand's roots, utilizing a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout shared entirely with the Renault Twingo Mk3. This layout provided incredible packaging, allowing for a spacious cabin and an astonishingly tight turning circle in a very short car. In the UK, it serves as an excellent, highly maneuverable city car that can comfortably carry four adults on short trips. The introduction of the EQ (electric) version made it a popular choice for urban commuting. Reliability is robust, sharing its mechanicals with Renault, though the ride is noticeably firm. It is ideal for city families or those who need ultimate maneuverability and four doors.

The third-generation Smart Fortwo (Type 453) was co-developed with Renault, sharing roughly 70% of its parts with the Renault Twingo. This generation brought a massive leap in refinement, a wider cabin, a vastly tighter turning circle, and crucially, the option of a proper manual gearbox or a smooth dual-clutch automatic (Twinamic). In the UK, it transitioned from a quirky novelty to a genuinely capable, comfortable city car that can handle short motorway stints without terrifying its occupants. Reliability is strong, backed by proven Renault powertrains. It is the best Smart car for daily use, appealing to anyone navigating dense urban environments.

The second-generation Smart Fortwo (Type 451) addressed many of the original's flaws, offering a slightly longer wheelbase for a marginally better ride and replacing the fragile Mercedes engines with much more robust 1.0-litre Mitsubishi units (both naturally aspirated and turbocharged). In the UK, it remains an exceptional urban commuter, offering decent reliability and incredibly low running costs. The automated manual gearbox is still somewhat slow but vastly improved over the 450. It is the sensible choice for city drivers who want the iconic Smart footprint but need dependable daily reliability.

The first-generation Smart Forfour (Type 454) was a conventional, front-engine, front-wheel-drive supermini developed alongside the Mitsubishi Colt. It abandoned the rear-engine layout of the Fortwo to offer a spacious, four-seat cabin with sliding rear seats and quirky two-tone plastic bodywork. In the UK, it was a slow seller and is now a rare sight, mostly remembered for its Brabus high-performance version. Reliability is generally very good thanks to the Mitsubishi-sourced engines and electronics, making it a dependable, if unconventional, cheap runaround. It suits budget buyers who want a reliable, practical small car that stands out from a typical Ford Fiesta.

The Smart Roadster (Type 452) is a brilliant, flawed masterpiece that attempted to revive the spirit of the classic British lightweight sports car using the platform of the original Fortwo. Sitting incredibly low to the ground and weighing just 800kg, it offers sublime, unassisted steering and go-kart handling on B-roads. In the UK, it is a highly prized cult classic, but ownership requires massive patience due to catastrophic water leak issues and the frustratingly slow automated manual gearbox. If the SAM unit (fuse box) gets wet, the car will die completely. It is strictly for enthusiasts who have a garage and want maximum driving fun at low speeds.

The original Smart Fortwo (Type 450) revolutionized urban transport by offering a tiny, two-seat footprint that could literally be parked nose-in to the curb. Utilizing a Tridion safety cell and interchangeable plastic body panels, it became an instant icon in congested UK cities like London. However, its early automated manual gearbox is notoriously jerky, and the tiny turbocharged engines (600cc and 700cc) are fragile if not meticulously maintained. Many have succumbed to engine failure by 60,000 miles. It is strictly a city car, best suited to urban dwellers who prioritize parking ease over driving refinement and are prepared for specialist maintenance.