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Auto Express Car Reviews
MCC Smart
You don't have to pay through the nose for Mercedes quality, and here's the car that proves it - the MCC Smart. Developed by Mercedes with watchmaker Swatch, the car was planned to be as small as possible while remaining practical.
March 2003
You don't have to pay through the nose for Mercedes quality, and here's the car that proves it - the MCC Smart. Developed by Mercedes with watchmaker Swatch, the car was planned to be as small as possible while remaining practical.
The car's construction is unique, with detachable plastic body panels attached to a steel safety shell. Using a rear-mounted 600cc turbocharged engine, the Smart has interesting handling and a characterful engine note, plus surprisingly willing performance.
It went into production in 1998 in left-hand-drive form only, but sales were restricted to mainland Europe initially. Official imports started in December 1999 and were also left-hand drive only. After pressure from Mercedes-Benz UK, right-hand-drive Smarts went into production in 2001.
Second-hand cars are around in greater numbers, from independent sources and Mercedes-Benz Direct, but is the funky city car a Smart buy?
Checklist
* Some early imported Smarts have a fault with the heated rear window, where the element can get too hot and shatter the glass. Most will have been replaced, but check if yours is a 1998 or 1999 private import.
* Handbrakes aren't brilliant and can fail to engage when pulled up. Right-hand-drive models were recalled to correct this - make sure it was done.
* Be wary of damage to the plastic body panels. Front and rear wheelarches are especially vulnerable to scuffs as they stick out from the main shell.
* Check cars with alloys carefully, as the finish isn't always brilliant.
* Smarts don't come with a spare tyre and the optional repair kit is inadequate for a big puncture.
Glass's View
The Smart is proving to be extremely resilient in the marketplace, even in left-hand-drive form, says trade bible Glass's Guide. Part of its success lies in its clever promotion, as premium market customers see it as a Mercedes. With further brand expansion on the way, there's no reason to suspect a decline in demand or popularity of the Smart. Cabriolets and Passion models hold their value best.
My Smart...
Simon Hollands had wanted a Smart since it first came out, but was put off initially by the car only being available in left-hand drive.
He finally took the plunge last year after driving a friend's model and finding it ideal for his needs.
The 34-year-old, an electrical engineer from Sheffield, has since become a Smart convert. "I can't believe how well built and refined it is given the size of the engine and its tiny dimensions," he said. "I love the fact that you can squeeze it into almost any parking space and it's a doddle to drive in town thanks to the semi-automatic gearbox."
Simon has been impressed with the car's reliability so far and hasn't suffered from any problems, but there are still one or two irritations.
"The ride is a bit bouncy and perhaps the biggest design fault is the rear window - the washer jet and wiper are on the same side and when you squirt the screen the water goes all over the wiper arm instead," he said. But this minor flaw hasn't put Simon off, and he's considering a Smart Cabriolet or new Roadster as his next car.
The car's construction is unique, with detachable plastic body panels attached to a steel safety shell. Using a rear-mounted 600cc turbocharged engine, the Smart has interesting handling and a characterful engine note, plus surprisingly willing performance.
It went into production in 1998 in left-hand-drive form only, but sales were restricted to mainland Europe initially. Official imports started in December 1999 and were also left-hand drive only. After pressure from Mercedes-Benz UK, right-hand-drive Smarts went into production in 2001.
Second-hand cars are around in greater numbers, from independent sources and Mercedes-Benz Direct, but is the funky city car a Smart buy?
Checklist
* Some early imported Smarts have a fault with the heated rear window, where the element can get too hot and shatter the glass. Most will have been replaced, but check if yours is a 1998 or 1999 private import.
* Handbrakes aren't brilliant and can fail to engage when pulled up. Right-hand-drive models were recalled to correct this - make sure it was done.
* Be wary of damage to the plastic body panels. Front and rear wheelarches are especially vulnerable to scuffs as they stick out from the main shell.
* Check cars with alloys carefully, as the finish isn't always brilliant.
* Smarts don't come with a spare tyre and the optional repair kit is inadequate for a big puncture.
Glass's View
The Smart is proving to be extremely resilient in the marketplace, even in left-hand-drive form, says trade bible Glass's Guide. Part of its success lies in its clever promotion, as premium market customers see it as a Mercedes. With further brand expansion on the way, there's no reason to suspect a decline in demand or popularity of the Smart. Cabriolets and Passion models hold their value best.
My Smart...
Simon Hollands had wanted a Smart since it first came out, but was put off initially by the car only being available in left-hand drive.
He finally took the plunge last year after driving a friend's model and finding it ideal for his needs.
The 34-year-old, an electrical engineer from Sheffield, has since become a Smart convert. "I can't believe how well built and refined it is given the size of the engine and its tiny dimensions," he said. "I love the fact that you can squeeze it into almost any parking space and it's a doddle to drive in town thanks to the semi-automatic gearbox."
Simon has been impressed with the car's reliability so far and hasn't suffered from any problems, but there are still one or two irritations.
"The ride is a bit bouncy and perhaps the biggest design fault is the rear window - the washer jet and wiper are on the same side and when you squirt the screen the water goes all over the wiper arm instead," he said. But this minor flaw hasn't put Simon off, and he's considering a Smart Cabriolet or new Roadster as his next car.
More MCC SMART articles
- Car Reviews
- First Drives: MCC Smart
- Advertisement -
VERDICT
- Aim for at least the Pulse. The only other choice is between left and right-hand drive. Left-hookers are cheaper and tall drivers say they have a better driving position. But RHD cars are more familiar and will hold their value better, so we'd plump for one of these.
OTHER EXPENSES
Depreciation:5
Running costs (ppm):26-39p
Insurance groups:2-3 (Crossblade 7)
HISTORY
- 1998: Smart goes into production. Engine choices are 600cc petrol or diesel turbocharged units. A few independent dealers import Smarts to order. 1999: Official imports (petrol only) start in December in three trim levels: Pure, Pulse and Passion. Pure has 45bhp, traction control, twin airbags and remote locking; Pulse gets 55bhp, electric windows and a stereo; Passion has alloys, sunroof and CD player. 2001: Engine on Pulse and Passion gets power boost to 61bhp. Right-hand-drive models make their debut in September - with a £500 price hike. Smart Cabriolet appears in Passion trim. It has different headlights and a clever electric folding roof. 2002: Coupé models upgraded to include double ellipse headlights like those on the Cabriolet. Open-top model is now available in Pulse trim. Wacky LHD Crossblade model launches in June, with no windscreen and a distinctive Jet Black paint job. 2003: Smart range improved. Engines develop 64bhp and the jerky gearbox is revised. ESP fitted as standard.
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