2013 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive CVT Electricity · LS63 UED

The most recent DVSA examination on 29 September 2025 resulted in a Pass, although the same inspection six days earlier had failed with three major defects, namely an offside rear tyre with a cut exposing ply or cords, an inoperative nearside front position lamp, and excessive play in the nearside front track rod end ball joint. The latter is particularly significant as it pertains to the steering geometry and could indicate wear in the inner or outer track rod ends, the drop links, or the related bushes; this is a safety-critical item that warrants confirmation of replacement and a post-repair geometry check. The persistent advisory items relating to slight distortion of the nearside front and offside rear road wheels also remained outstanding at the subsequent pass, which suggests either kerbing damage or corrosion between the wheel and hub interface and is worth confirming does not affect wheel balance or tyre seating. Looking at the broader trajectory, the vehicle presented a clean record through 2021, 2022 and 2023 before advisories began to accumulate across 2024 and 2025, culminating in a fail. The maintenance trend can therefore be regarded as gradually worsening, consistent with a thirteen year old electric city car reaching the stage where consumable wear and chassis components begin to demand closer attention. The recorded mileage of 111,584 miles over roughly thirteen years equates to an annual average of approximately 8,583 miles, which is broadly typical for a small urban electric vehicle. There is no evidence in the MOT chronology of prolonged standing periods or unusually rapid accumulation, with mileage progression appearing steady year on year. For an electric Smart Fortwo of this vintage, high relative mileage is less concerning than it would be on a combustion vehicle because there is no traditional engine, clutch or complex transmission to wear, although the single-speed reducer unit, electric motor bearings, and high-voltage battery pack remain age and cycle dependent rather than purely mileage dependent. The consistent annual usage does, however, mean that mechanical components such as suspension bushes, brake discs, and steering linkages have been subjected to continuous loading rather than suffering the corrosion and seizing risks associated with long periods of immobility. The recurring advisories across multiple tests demand particular attention during a pre-purchase inspection. The nearside rear tyre being repeatedly flagged as worn close to the legal limit and on edge in both 2020 and 2024 suggests either an alignment issue at the rear or habitual kerbing, and any prospective buyer should inspect for uneven shoulder wear and check rear wheel alignment geometry. The track rod end ball joint failure on the 2025 test, combined with a prior advisory on a nearside front suspension arm ball joint showing slight play in 2020, points to progressive wear in the front suspension and steering linkages; on a test drive, listen for clonks or knocking over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, and check for vagueness or wandering in the steering, particularly under braking. The front brake disc pitting and pad wear advisories recorded in both 2019 and 2020 indicate that the discs were likely skimmed or replaced around that period, and given the intervening mileage a prospective buyer should expect further pad wear and should verify disc thickness, check for brake shudder under heavy application, and ensure the calipers are not binding, which is a common issue on vehicles used predominantly for short urban stops. Beyond the items raised at test, several age and usage related checks are advisable. Tyre sidewalls should be examined for perishing or cracking from age, as rubber compounds degrade with calendar age regardless of tread depth, and the high-voltage traction battery should be assessed for state of health, as degradation is the single most significant factor influencing residual value on an electric Fortwo of this generation. The 12 volt auxiliary battery, brake fluid, and any cooling system fluid for the power electronics should be considered as time-served items that require periodic replacement irrespective of mileage, and verification of service history stamps relating to these intervals would be prudent. The offside rear brake pipe advisory from 2024 noting early corrosion covered in grease warrants a thorough inspection of all underbody brake lines and fuel or coolant pipework for surface rust, as a thirteen year old vehicle in typical UK conditions will be approaching the point where replacement of rubber brake hoses and sectioning of metal lines becomes necessary. Finally, a careful visual examination of the alloy wheels for the distortion noted, and confirmation that the steering and suspension repairs from the September 2025 failure were carried out to a satisfactory standard with supporting invoices, would provide further reassurance before purchase.