Smart car should i buy

Smart cars have received a reliability index of 52 with being the average, according to the Reliability Index. This rating is based on Smart cars that were around 4 years old and driven less than 30, miles. Many Smart car owners have owned their vehicles well past the ,mile mark by keeping up with regular maintenance. When the Smart car starts needing those larger repairs, car owners need to weigh the value of the vehicle against the cost of repairs.

But, what causes many consumers to consider the Smart car unreliable is the relation of repair costs to the overall cost of the vehicle. The engine is the main powerhouse of a Smart car. It is a complex part, consisting of over 30, parts. The Smart Fortwo has an engine that meets an average of , miles before needing serious repairs.

Because of the complexity of the engine, it requires hours of taking the engine apart to replace parts. If the engine goes bad, most Smart car owners choose to replace the entire vehicle, unless it is a relatively new car.

Many of these are simple enough to learn to do yourself if you would like to save on maintenance costs. If a Smart car is displaying any check engine lights or making odd noises, it should be taken to a shop immediately. The cabin feels ultra-modern, too, with a quirky design and high-quality fittings. The ForTwo needs to be serviced every year or 12, miles.

The coolant has to be renewed every three years or 37, miles for the diesel engine, while the petrol unit stretches this to every four years or 50, miles. Brake fluid needs to be replaced every two years and the cost of this is built into the major service. These are all main dealer prices, however; you can cut your costs by having work done at an independent specialist. The first campaign was in January and affected 26 cars on which the windscreen could become loose, due to paint on the screen surround adhering to the bodywork.

It needed a repaint and the screen rebonding. Nearly 17, Smarts were affected by a September recall. An electronic heater valve could short circuit, potentially leading to a fire. A new valve solved this. The original ForTwo peaked at 68th in our Driver Power satisfaction survey in You can fit two or three Smart Fortwo cars in one spot if you back them up. The type of engine you have in a Smart Fortwo depends on the year you get.

A , for example, hosts a rear-mounted 3-cylinder gas engine that delivers 89 hp and lb. The engine sends torque to the rear wheels, just like a Porsche Keep in mind the vehicle is incredibly light at 2, lbs.

So, it doesn't take much horsepower to move it at a good rate. The Smart Fortwo has a 0. You can also get an electric motor, which delivers 74 hp and 96 lb. As you can imagine, the Smart Fortwo is great on fuel economy.

Study it before you go shopping for your Fortwo. The cars may be intended for urban use but we work on many with very high mileages. My choice would be a 1. Engine: Look for evidence of regular oil and filter changes at least every 10, miles or 12 months using M-B Beware the MHD, whose auxiliary belt is prone to snapping, causing the engine to overheat.

The DPF-equipped diesel engine can develop sensor issues. Also on this engine, look for evidence of coolant in the exhaust caused by a faulty EGR cooler. On later petrols, check the condition of the exhaust flexipipe. Transmission: The automated manual gearbox is robust and reliable but check for trouble-free changes especially reverse. Most issues can be resolved with a software update.

Suspension and brakes: Inspect the front springs, which are soft and can break. Listen for clonking over speed humps caused by worn wishbone or anti-roll bar bushes. With the handbrake off, check the car rolls easily as the alloy rear brake cylinders corrode, causing the brakes to seize.