2003 smart fortwo - city coupe Passion Cabrio 0.7 petrol turbo

Summary:

Great idea - reliability absolutely shocking

Faults:

Engine failure at 6500 miles with loss of compression in cylinder 2.

Clutch slippage at 6000 miles.

Several little niggles with fit and finish - the drivers window goes up too high and distorts the door seal causing a leak, speakers not tightened properly in the mounts so rattle with speech, rear plastic window very difficult to keep clean and scratches very very easily.

General Comments:

My second smart and it has been as unreliable as the first. Disappointed as the cars are genuinely innovative and fun to drive.

I won't be buying another.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 25th November, 2003

30th Nov 2003, 15:16

I'm quite surprised as my ex-wife and I have had 3 smarts and have totalized over 130.000 km in almost 4 years without any major trouble. I can't say it was bad luck if this is your second smart, it must be VERY bad luck, then...

Pure Cdi: 50.000 km to date (bought new)

Pulse 55 hp: bought with 800 km, sold at 45.000 and replaced by

Pulse 62 hp convertible: bought with 21.000 km, 56.000 km to date.

25th May 2006, 05:32

I see that all your smarts did approx. 50,000 km. There is a widespread conception in car mechanics circles here in Greece that the smart's engine is only good for 50,000 km, then needs to be reconditioned, which I find hard to believe. What is your experience on this? Did you experience any loss of power at this mileage?

13th Apr 2008, 08:06

I do think that the 50000Km's is a misconception.

I am aware of 2 2002 models, one with 160000 and another with 97000Km's on the clock with the original engines still in.

13th Jun 2008, 03:38

I'm sorry to say that similar happened to my parent's Smart Passion, although they managed to achieve 16,000 miles over 3 years before the engine gave up the ghost. Apparently it was because they were late with their service, although it is a known fault amongst Mercedes mechanics; just be sure to adhere to the 12 months or 8,000 mls, whichever is the soonest, and hope it goes before the warranty runs out.

24th Aug 2010, 18:22

Avoid Smarts!

The three cylinder gas doesn't have stellar fuel economy and the CDI is one of the hardest starting diesels ever.