The smallest full-electric car sold in Europe for nearly a decade. The Smart EQ fortwo pairs a compact 17.6 kWh battery with a 60 kW rear-mounted motor, giving a realistic 100-130 km of city range. Production ended in March 2024 at the Hambach plant in France. Maintenance is minimal thanks to the simple drivetrain, but when something in the high-voltage system does fail, dealer repair costs are disproportionately high because Smart only offers complete powertrain module replacement rather than individual component repairs.
Ultra-low maintenance costs
Simple, proven electric drivetrain
Expensive HV system dealer repairs
12V battery drains when parked
Buy if: You need a pure city car for short daily commutes and can keep it plugged in or on a trickle charger when not in use.
Avoid if: You regularly need more than 100 km range per day or cannot access an independent EV specialist for potential repairs.
Expected Annual Maintenance Costs
Common Problems
Converter fails, preventing 12V system charging and immobilizing the car · more· less
The DC-DC converter charges the 12V system from the high-voltage battery while driving. When it fails, the 12V battery drains rapidly, causing dashboard warnings and eventually preventing the car from starting or driving. Smart dealers do not replace the converter individually and instead require replacement of the entire drive module at approximately 7,000 euros. Independent EV specialists can replace the converter alone for 250-500 euros, though the repair requires 8-16 hours of labor because the entire drivetrain must be lowered to access it. This issue is uncommon but has been documented on cars with 60,000-100,000 km.
12V battery dies within 7-14 days if car is not driven or plugged in · more· less
The Smart EQ has no alternator and relies entirely on the DC-DC converter to keep the 12V battery charged. When parked, parasitic draw from the CAN network and various modules can flatten the 12V battery within 1-2 weeks. A critically low 12V battery (below 11.8V) can trigger cascade failures in the high-voltage system, potentially causing the HV battery cells to drain to zero volts and bricking the BMS. The solution is to keep the car on a quality trickle charger (CTEK MXS 5.0 recommended) when not in use. Leaving the headlights in the ON position is a known trigger as it prevents the CAN network from entering sleep mode. Replacement of the 12V battery costs 150-350 euros including labor.
Car displays 'Charging not possible - Visit workshop' and refuses to charge · more· less
The 7 kW onboard charger can fail, preventing the car from accepting AC charge. The 22 kW charger variant is integrated into the drivetrain block and cannot be replaced individually, while the 7 kW charger is a separate component. Smart dealers typically quote 5,000-8,000 euros for repair because they replace the entire powertrain module. Independent EV specialists have found that many charging failures are caused by blown inline fuses in the HV wiring harness (a 2-euro part buried in expensive cable assemblies) or failed capacitors in the OBC, with repair costs of 250-500 euros at a specialist. Finding a qualified independent specialist is essential to avoid the dealer markup.
Control arm and anti-roll bar bushings degrade, causing knocking over bumps · more· less
The front suspension rubber bushings are susceptible to water and salt ingress, leading to creaking, cracking, and banging noises when going over bumps. The anti-roll bar bushings are the most commonly affected component. Replacing the affected bushings with polyurethane alternatives provides a longer-lasting fix at approximately 200-300 euros including labor. Full control arm replacement costs 350-500 euros per side. This typically occurs after 40,000-60,000 km or 4-5 years, especially in regions with salted winter roads.
7-inch touchscreen becomes unresponsive or freezes intermittently · more· less
The Bosch-supplied infotainment head unit can become unresponsive to touch input or freeze completely. A soft reset by holding the power button for 10 seconds or pressing the Home button five times often resolves temporary freezes. However, persistent failures require head unit replacement. Aftermarket replacement screens are available for 150-250 euros, with labor adding approximately 100-200 euros. Software updates from Mercedes have addressed some intermittent issues on earlier cars.
Low maintenance but beware of disproportionate dealer repair costs
The Smart EQ fortwo is mechanically simple and rarely breaks down. The electric motor and battery are generally robust, with some owners exceeding 100,000 km without major issues. The primary risk is the high-voltage system: if the DC-DC converter or onboard charger fails, Smart dealers charge 5,000-8,000 euros because they only offer complete powertrain module replacement. Finding an independent EV specialist who can repair individual components at a fraction of the cost is strongly recommended. Keep the 12V battery healthy with a trickle charger to avoid cascade failures in the HV system.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
High-voltage battery internal weld defect (production May 2019)
Verify completed
Roof panel adhesive bonding failure (June-December 2020 production)
Verify completed
Windscreen bonding defect (various 2017-2020 production)
Verify completed
Rear axle centre bearing screw loosening (April-October 2022 production)
Verify completed
Contact a Smart/Mercedes-Benz dealer with the VIN to verify all recalls have been completed. The high-voltage battery recall and rear axle recall are particularly safety-critical.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (2 years)
Expired on most used cars
HV battery warranty (8 years / 100,000 km)
May still be active on 2018+ models
HV battery capacity guarantee
70% SOH minimum during warranty period
The high-voltage battery warranty (8 years / 100,000 km) may still cover 2018-2024 models. This covers battery defects and capacity below 70% state of health. The standard 2-year factory warranty is expired on all used Smart EQ fortwo models. Production ended in March 2024, so dealer support may become limited over time.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.