Smart Fortwo W451
2006 to 2013
Based on 2 sources, each with its own reference date
No documented known problems found. That does not mean the car is problem free
Key points to know
- Insurance loss
4 results · IIHS/HLDI, data up to and including 2013
Recalls
Our EU Safety Gate feed only goes back to 17 July 2026
We could not check NHTSA for this model
No recall found in EU Safety Gate, checked up to and including 2013
Safety rating
American crash test (NHTSA)
No safety rating found at NHTSA SafetyRatings, checked through 2013
Insurance loss
Compared with the US average. Not a chance of defects
IIHS/HLDI loss index: ForTwo
According to IIHS/HLDI, the "all coverages combined" loss index for ForTwo is 53. Basis 100 is the US national average for all passenger cars under this coverage. Note: this is an index figure or rating class, an insurance statistic about the whole model. It is not a chance of defects and not a prediction for this car.
IIHS/HLDI loss index: ForTwo
According to IIHS/HLDI, the "all coverages combined" loss index for ForTwo is 62. Basis 100 is the US national average for all passenger cars under this coverage. Note: this is an index figure or rating class, an insurance statistic about the whole model. It is not a chance of defects and not a prediction for this car.
IIHS/HLDI loss index: ForTwo
According to IIHS/HLDI, the "all coverages combined" loss index for ForTwo is 74. Basis 100 is the US national average for all passenger cars under this coverage. Note: this is an index figure or rating class, an insurance statistic about the whole model. It is not a chance of defects and not a prediction for this car.
IIHS/HLDI loss index: ForTwo
According to IIHS/HLDI, the "all coverages combined" loss index for ForTwo is 73. Basis 100 is the US national average for all passenger cars under this coverage. Note: this is an index figure or rating class, an insurance statistic about the whole model. It is not a chance of defects and not a prediction for this car.
Inspection statistics for these model years
- 12 to 14 years: 3,338 inspections
- 15 to 19 years: 3,036 inspections
- 20 to 24 years: 422 inspections
12 to 14 years: 3,338 inspections
Official inspection point: Chassis and chassis attachments
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 662 of the 3338 Czech inspection data, age 12-14 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 574 of the 3338 Czech inspection data, age 12-14 yr.
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 534 of the 3338 Czech inspection data, age 12-14 yr.
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 483 of the 3338 Czech inspection data, age 12-14 yr.
Official inspection point: Steering
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 127 of the 3338 Czech inspection data, age 12-14 yr.
Show more age groups (2)
15 to 19 years: 3,036 inspections
Official inspection point: Chassis and chassis attachments
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 810 of the 3036 Czech inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 769 of the 3036 Czech inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 699 of the 3036 Czech inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 408 of the 3036 Czech inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Steering
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 200 of the 3036 Czech inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
20 to 24 years: 422 inspections
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 147 of the 422 Czech inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 95 of the 422 Czech inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Chassis and chassis attachments
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 83 of the 422 Czech inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Steering
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 56 of the 422 Czech inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 49 of the 422 Czech inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
- 12 to 14 years: 1,718 inspections
- 15 to 17 years: 1,845 inspections
- 18 to 20 years: 4,433 inspections
18 to 20 years: 4,433 inspections
Official item from DVSA MOT-statistiek
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 1795 of the 4433 British MOT statistics, age 18-20 yr.
Show more age groups (2)
12 to 14 years: 1,718 inspections
Official item from DVSA MOT-statistiek
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 612 of the 1718 British MOT statistics, age 12-14 yr.
Official item from DVSA MOT-statistiek
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 2609 of the 8486 British MOT statistics, age 12-14 yr.
15 to 17 years: 1,845 inspections
Official item from DVSA MOT-statistiek
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 688 of the 1845 British MOT statistics, age 15-17 yr.
Official item from DVSA MOT-statistiek
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 4484 of the 12193 British MOT statistics, age 15-17 yr.
See the inspection statistics for all generations of Fortwo
Go to FortwoInspections by country and age
This table shows, per age, how many cars of this model fail inspection, by country. An index of 100 is that country's average for that age.
| Age | Netherlands | United Kingdom | Czechia | Ireland | NO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-14 years | No data | 31.6% failed (3221 of 10204) | No data | No data | Too few inspections |
| 15-19 years | No data | 37.7% failed (6967 of 18471) | No data | No data | Too few inspections |
| 20-24 years | No data | 40% failed (982 of 2455) | No data | No data | No data |
Czechia only counts serious defects, severity B or C. The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Norway count every inspection with a real defect.
Finland is not in this table. Finland counts defect points, not cars with a defect.
Buyer knowledge and checklist
Before you buy: the inspection requirement in this country, plus a checklist for the test drive.
Periodic inspection: APK (Algemene Periodieke Keuring, the Dutch periodic roadworthiness test): from 2 to 8 years old: every 2 years; diesel: annually from the first test onwards; other fuels: annually from 8 years old
Read the guideFrequently asked questions
What are the known problems with a Smart Fortwo W451?
Insurance loss: 4 results (IIHS/HLDI, data up to and including 2013). Each point is worked out below with its source and reference date.
Which defects are found most often at inspection for a Smart Fortwo?
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system. Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 147 of the 422 Czech inspection data, age 20-24 yr. CZ STK, data up to and including 03/07/2026. More age groups and categories are available in the inspection statistics on this page.
Where does this data come from?
CZ STK (data up to and including 03/07/2026), DVSA MOT-statistiek (data up to and including 2025), NHTSA Manufacturer Communications (data up to and including 2013), IIHS/HLDI (data up to and including 2013), GDV Typklassenverzeichnis (data up to and including 2024). Every fact here has its own source and reference date.