Smart cars are known for their unbelievable fuel economy, fun driving experience, and excellent parking maneuverability.
However, if you’re considering buying this easy-to-park city nipper, you’re probably wondering how long you can expect them to last.
Read on to find out how reliable smart cars are, and what the common problems that owners face.
How Long Do Smart Cars Last?
Shawn Haynes provided us with this picture 2007 plate with 172,201 miles on the clock. He told us that the only real repairs he’s had to do are a couple of broken front springs and a new clutch.
How long your Smart car last depends on a few factors, including the model year, your driving habits, and car maintenance. However, on average, you can expect a Smart car to last for around 100,000 miles before requiring repairs or replacement parts. That said, with proper care, some Smart cars have been known to last much longer.
We spoke to several owners on a Smart Car Facebook group, who told us that their cars had well over 150k miles without any serious issues.
How Can You Get Your mart Car To Last Longer?
What’s Considered High Mileage For A Smart Car?
Because these diminutive cars are built for short journeys in the city and not built for long road trips, it’s unlikely that you’ll find many smart cars with over 100k miles on the clock.
With that said, I’d consider high mileage for a smart car as anything over 80k.
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How Long Do Smart Car Parts Last?
Let’s take a look at how long you can expect a Smart cars parts to last.
Batteries
One of the key features of smart cars is their electric battery, which powers the engine and provides a smooth, quiet ride. But how long do smart Fortwo batteries last? On average, a smart car battery will last for between 4 and 5 years with regular use. However, this can vary depending on a number of factors, such as how often the car is driven and how it is maintained. With proper care, it is not unusual for a smart car battery to last for 6 years or more. Ultimately, how long a smart car battery lasts will depend on the individual user’s driving habits and maintenance routine.
Engine
Smart car engines are designed to last for approximately 150,000 miles. However, this will vary depending on how the car is driven and maintained. If the car is regularly driven in stop-and-go traffic or used for long trips on the highway, it will likely need to be replaced sooner. Additionally, regular oil changes and other routine maintenance can help to extend the life of the engine. Ultimately, the best way to determine how long a Smart Fortwo engine will last is to consult with a qualified mechanic.
Brakes
For most vehicles, brakes should be replaced every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. However, the brake pads on a smart Fortwo may last up to twice as long as those on a standard car. This is due to the fact that smart Fortwos weigh significantly less than other cars, which puts less stress on the brakes. In addition, the unique braking system of a smart Fortwo helps to distribute the force of braking more evenly, resulting in less wear and tear on the pads. As a result, drivers of smart Fortwos can typically expect their brakes to last for 60,000 to 100,000 miles.
Tires
The lifespan of a smart Fortwo’s tires will depend on a number of factors, including the type of tires, how well they’re maintained, and the driving conditions. In general, however, you can expect your smart Fortwo’s tires to last between 30,000 and 50,000 miles. Of course, if you take good care of your tires and avoid driving in harsh conditions, you may be able to get even more mileage out of them. To extend the life of your smart Fortwo’s tires, be sure to check the pressure regularly and have them rotated according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Suspension
A Smart car’s suspension has received many complaints on user forums, so owners often decide to replace the stock suspension with their own choice to add stability to their ride.
Replacing a Smart car’s suspension can cost in the range of $300-$550. A good quality suspension system in a Smart car should last four to five years.
Are Smart Cars Expensive to Maintain?
The average annual repair cost for the Smart Fortwo is around $751.
This repair cost is close to the $1,186 average repair cost of a full-sized vehicle.
The higher the mileage of the vehicle, the more repairs will need to be done.
A Smart car is expensive to repair for two reasons.
The first is that the Smart car is not as widely produced as other vehicles, making parts more difficult to find and in turn more expensive to purchase.
The second is that a Smart car has a complex electrical system that increases the length of time it takes to complete basic repairs.
How Long Before Smart Cars Start To Rust?
Rust is not a big issue with the Smart car, as very few owners reported rusting in their vehicles.
Driving around salt roads or with an exposed body will increase the probability of rust in a Smart car.
Washing a Smart car regularly and keeping the paint maintained will help keep your Smart car from rusting.