Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 mhd, 71 PS, 5-speed automated manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €310 | €4,490 | 607 | Petrol | 3B21 | Automatisiertes Schaltgetriebe (5) | 2007–2010 |
| 1.0 mhd, 71 PS, 5-speed automated manual, rear-wheel drive, convertible Research | €306 | €5,199 | 192 | Petrol | 3B21 | Automatisiertes Schaltgetriebe (5) | 2007–2010 |
| 1.0 mhd, 61 PS, 5-speed automated manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €307 | €3,300 | 92 | Petrol | 3B21 | Automatisiertes Schaltgetriebe (5) | 2007–2010 |
| 1.0 turbo, 84 PS, 5-speed automated manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €331 | €4,200 | 91 | Petrol | 3B21 | Automatisiertes Schaltgetriebe (5) | 2007–2010 |
| 0.8 cdi, 45 PS, 5-speed automated manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €298 | €3,800 | 89 | Diesel | 660950 | Automatisiertes Schaltgetriebe (5) | 2007–2009 |
At a glance
- Years: built 2007 to 2014 or 2015. Facelifts came in 2010 and 2012.
- Most common: clutch and clutch actuator faults on the automated gearbox, and oil loss.
- Reliability: 2/5, because the clutch actuator, overheating and oil loss are frequent.
- DIY: 2/5, because the engine sits at the rear and a clutch job takes up to a full working day.
- Prefer: a car with a clutch job on record and proof that the gearbox was re-learned. Avoid: a car with jerky or refusing gear changes, or coolant loss.
Engines and gearboxes
- 1.0 petrol, 3 cylinders, 61 to 71 PS: the start-stop (mhd) version has the drive belt fault below. No other engine fault confirmed.
- 1.0 turbo and Brabus, up to about 102 PS: no common fault confirmed.
- 0.8 CDI diesel, 45 or 54 PS: no engine fault confirmed. The exhaust rusts faster on short trips, especially with this engine.
- 5-speed automated manual gearbox (one clutch, electric clutch actuator): the main issue on this car. See the first item below.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clutch and clutch actuator | Automated gearbox, all 451 | Not stated | 400-800 EUR (Germany, year not stated) |
| Overheating and coolant loss | Not split by engine | Not stated | 100-1,500 EUR (Germany, year not stated) |
| Drive belt on MHD petrol | MHD (start-stop) petrol | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Oil loss | Not split by engine | Not stated | Not stated |
| Heater shut-off valve recall | Cars built 2010 to 2014 | Not stated | Free (recall) |
| Exhaust rust | Not split, worst on 0.8 CDI | Not stated | Not stated |
| Tailgate lock | Not split | Not stated | Not stated |
Before you buy
- Look for coolant loss. Check the radiator, expansion tank, water pump and hoses for leaks. A leak can mean a water pump or cylinder-head gasket job, which costs up to 1,500 EUR (Germany, year not stated).
- Pull away and make several gear changes. Slow, late or jerky shifts, judder, a clutch that slips, a stiff pedal, or the three-bar warning mean a clutch or actuator job, about 400-800 EUR (Germany, year not stated). Ask for proof that the gearbox was re-learned after clutch work. That needs diagnostic equipment.
- Check the oil level on the dipstick and look under the engine for oil. Ask for oil change records. Oil loss is common, and it can get the car refused at TÜV.
- On an MHD car, listen for whistling, chirping or squealing from the drive belt when starting and driving. These are warning signs of a belt problem.
- Look at the exhaust on a lift for rust, mostly on 0.8 CDI cars used for short trips. The catalytic converter and rear silencer are one part on earlier cars, so replacing them is expensive.
- Give the VIN to a dealer and ask for open recalls. The heater shut-off valve fix (cars built 2010 to 2014) is free. The brake caliper bracket recall (cars built 28 February to 6 March 2012) corrects bolt torque.
Running costs
| Operational | €147 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €93 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €82 |
| Total per month | €322 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €39 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 1,369
- 25th percentile
- €3,480
- Median price
- €4,300
- 75th percentile
- €5,499
- Median mileage
- 127,000 km
- Median first registration
- 2009
- Dealer share
- 54.4%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €5,133
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
Clutch and clutch actuator
The automated gearbox has an electric clutch and an actuator that moves it. When the clutch or the actuator wears, gear changes become jerky, slow or late, and the car judders. Gears can refuse to engage, mostly in stop-and-go traffic. The three-bar warning can light on the dash. A garage ties the wear to city driving and frequent starts from rest. A pedal that stays down can point to the clutch slave cylinder.
Replace the clutch disc, pressure plate and release bearing together, and check the dual-mass flywheel (a two-part damper between engine and gearbox) in the same job. The job costs 400-800 EUR in Germany (year not stated) and takes several hours to a full working day. After any work on the clutch or actuator, the gearbox must be re-learned with diagnostic equipment.
Sources: Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich, Carwiki: clutch job, Smart Car Manuals, DRIVE2: gearbox firmware and clutch adaptation
Overheating and coolant loss
The coolant temperature rises quickly above about 90 °C. The causes are a leaking cooling system or expansion tank, a failed water pump, a failed cylinder-head gasket, or a faulty pressure valve.
Repair costs in Germany (year not stated, figures for Smart cars in general): radiator with coolant 320-950 EUR, expansion tank with hoses 100-230 EUR, water pump 250-1,000 EUR, cylinder-head gasket 500-1,500 EUR. The total by cause is 100-1,500 EUR.
Sources: Carwiki: coolant loss, Motor-Talk: MHD 2011, belt and overheating
Drive belt on MHD petrol
The drive belt on the start-stop (mhd) version carries a heavy load, and it can tear. Whistling, chirping or squealing from the belt are the warning signs. ADAC breakdown statistics name drive belt problems on cars from 2008 to 2012 and 2014. No part number and no repair price are given.
Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater: Smart fortwo C451 problems, dpa TÜV report via t-online, Carwiki: Smart fortwo problems
Oil loss
Oil loss at the engine and drivetrain is a major weakness at the first TÜV inspection. It is mainly a problem on older cars. A garage names the cylinder-head gasket, the valve-cover gasket and seals, and oil passing through the crankcase ventilation as the causes. Short trips leave the engine cold, which causes oil sludge. Oil loss can get the TÜV sticker refused.
Sources: dpa TÜV report via t-online, Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich, gebrauchtwagenberater: Smart fortwo C451 problems
Heater shut-off valve recall
Smart recalled Coupés (451) built from August 2010 to June 2014. The electric heater shut-off valve can wear and overheat, and in the worst case it can short-circuit. The manufacturer names odour as the main effect. Dealers disconnect the electric valve. The fix takes about 60 minutes and is free. The work started in August 2014.
Sources: MB Passion: heater valve recall, gebrauchtwagenberater: Smart fortwo C451 problems, Carwiki: Smart fortwo problems
Exhaust rust
Rust on the exhaust is found at the first three TÜV inspections. It is linked to short trips, especially with the 0.8 CDI. Condensation also makes the exhaust rust. The catalytic converter and rear silencer are one part on cars before the facelift, so replacing it is expensive. No price is given.
Sources: dpa TÜV report via t-online, gebrauchtwagenberater: Smart fortwo C451 problems, Carwiki: Smart fortwo problems
Tailgate lock
The tailgate lock can jam. No engine or build year is given. No repair cost is stated.
Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater: Smart fortwo C451 problems, Carwiki: Smart fortwo problems
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 08V390000 | Model year 2008 | Dealers repaint the affected roof and windscreen areas. |
| United States | 18V273000 | Model year 2008 | Rear insulation mat replaced free of charge. A loose mat can touch hot exhaust parts and cause a fire. |
| Germany | not given | Built August 2010 to June 2014 | Dealers disconnect the electric heater shut-off valve. About 60 minutes, free. |
| Germany | not given | Built 28 February to 6 March 2012 | Dealer corrects the bolt torque on the brake caliper bracket. |
Maintenance
- Engine oil: check the level between services. On MHD cars, service every 20,000 km or once a year, and change the oil yearly. Short trips leave the engine cold and cause oil sludge.
- Clutch and gearbox: after any clutch or actuator job, have the gearbox re-learned with diagnostic equipment.
Sources
English
German
- Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: typical problems of the smart fortwo
- gebrauchtwagenberater: Smart fortwo C451 problems
- dpa TÜV report via t-online: smart fortwo oil loss
- MB Passion: smart heater valve recall
- Carwiki: Smart fortwo problems
- Carwiki: Smart fortwo clutch job
- Carwiki: Smart fortwo coolant loss
- Motor-Talk: MHD 2011, belt and overheating