Smart Fortwo (2007 – 2014) Review

Smart Fortwo (2007 – 2014) At A Glance

3/5

+Roomier than previous version with better seats. More comfortable drive. Cheap to run.

-Lacklustre cornering. Limited appeal beyond town use. No use if you need more than two seats.

Insurance Groups are between 2–15
On average it achieves 76% of the official MPG figure

It seems like only a few years ago, but the first Smart City Coupes actually hit the streets in 1998 and since then no less than 770,000 have been sold worldwide.

Smart's expansion plans have failed. Both the Nedcar-built and Mitsubishi Colt based ForFour and the Roadster Coupe have been shelved because they could not generate enough profit. Yet the original concept has continued to sell, especially to city dwellers in Rome, Paris, London, Berlin and Madrid. So now it's time for a new one.

As usual, cars grow, and the new Smart ForTwo is 195mm longer with a 55mm longer wheelbase and 31mm wider track. That gives better crash protection front and back (good enough to sell in the USA) and frees up more room inside for passengers and luggage. You can now get 220 litres behind the seats, or 340 litres stuffed to the roof. It feels very spacious inside for such a small car. But, despite an 8.75 metre turning circle, at 1,867mm it's now too long to park at right angles to a kerb.

 

Real MPG average for a Smart Fortwo (2007 – 2014)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

76%

Real MPG

33–80 mpg

MPGs submitted

329

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

Will I get touchscreen navigation on a second-hand Smart car?

"Does the Smart Passion (2009 model) come with sat nav?"
I don't think navigation was ever fitted as standard to this model. From memory, I think it was a £1400 add-on under the 'Smart Radio Navigator' option.
Answered by Dan Powell

Smart Fortwo brake pipe corrosion

"Are you aware of severe corrosion on Smart Fortwo brake pipes? Our car's brake pipes were found when a mechanic was carrying out unrelated work and had to drop the undershields below the car. The brake pipes were so badly corroded that they were leaking fluid. The corrosion hadn't been picked up during MoT as the pipes are hidden beneath the plastic undershields."
Known faults with Mk 1: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/smart/fortwo-2001/?section=good But a 2007 could be a Mk II: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/smart/fortwo-451-2007/?section=good VOSA recalls: http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/search.asp Please let us know if yours us a Mk1 or MkII, and also report the matter to VOSA because this is the sort of problem that should result in a full DVLA/VOSA vehicle safety recall.
Answered by Honest John

Smart Fortwo needs new engine

"I have a 2010 Smart Fortwo. The car has covered 30,000 miles and has a full Smart history. In March the auxiliary belt went, which in turn damaged the engine. I have been in dispute with Mercedes-Benz for months, with no avail. I have also been informed that this is a common fault. The dealer is unwilling to help, without me shelling out £800 to diagnose what I already know. Please help as I am stuck with a car I still have a large amount of finance on and can not afford fix due to the extremity of the fault. "
It's out of warranty and was only ever warranted for twoyears or 25,000 miles. So all you can do is try to invoke sale of goods via http://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk You can check the law here: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights/
Answered by Honest John

I want a comfortable, economical car to replace a Smart?

"I am about to get rid of a 10-plate Smart car and I am used to getting between 45 to 50mpg. I have a budget of around £3000 for a second hand car and am looking for similar MPG? I'd like something with a relatively nice interior. Interior is more important to me than exterior - I like an arm rest. I am in need of more space (for the family at weekends) than a Smart car can offer so I am now looking at a medium sized car. I do like big comfy cars but need the mpg. It should be an automatic, preferably, but that's not a deal breaker. I do around 500 miles a week, on a few country lanes but 99% on motorways - I'm not scared of a high mileage car as long as you think it can live on and survive that mileage for 51 weeks (I give myself a week of rest) a year for 2 to 3 years - so reliability is also important! I have been looking at roughly 8 to 10 year old diesels between 1.5-litres to 2.2-litres from Megane to Focus to Civic - pretty much anything that falls into that category."
Mitsubishi Colt 1.5 diesel or Smart ForFour 1.5 diesel (same 3 cylinder engine).
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Smart Fortwo (2007 – 2014) cost?