What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Smart CITY Passion 61.
The Smart CITY Passion 61 occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Smart CITY Passion 61 range, including 2 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Smart CITY Passion 61? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
W450 (1998–2007) — Petrol options included the 0.6L Petrol, 0.7L Petrol, with 0.8L CDI on the diesel side. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Flexible brake hose deterioration (£150–£250 to address).
Flexible brake hoses on the Smart City deteriorate and fail at 29.4 times the national average rate, particularly in the 40-60k mile range. The small brake system has limited redundancy, making hose failure immediately dangerous. This appears to be a material or design issue specific to this model's brake hose specification. Failure can cause complete brake loss without warning.
Brake hose failure causes immediate loss of braking ability on the affected circuit. On a car this light, total brake failure can occur rapidly. The vehicle must not be driven with suspected hose deterioration. Repair typically requires replacement of all flexible hoses due to age-related deterioration affecting the full set.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
Brake pipes corrode at 7.7 times the national average rate, with failures starting as early as 20-40k miles. The brake pipe routing or material specification appears vulnerable to corrosion. This is a critical safety issue as brake pipe failure can cause complete brake system failure without warning.
Corroded brake pipes can fail suddenly, causing immediate loss of braking ability. This is a life-threatening failure mode. Any signs of brake pipe corrosion require immediate professional inspection and likely replacement of the affected circuit or complete brake pipe renewal.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
Suspension pins, bushes and joints wear at 50 times the national fleet average on the Smart City, with the worst failure rates occurring at relatively low mileages. The short wheelbase and light weight appear to create unusual loading patterns that accelerate wear of suspension components. This is the most statistically significant fault on the model.
Worn suspension components affect handling and can cause dangerous instability, particularly concerning on a short-wheelbase car. Failed components can damage tyres through poor alignment. Complete suspension overhaul may be required once wear begins due to the interconnected nature of the components.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Engine mounting brackets fail at 35.8 times the national average rate, particularly around 60-80k miles. The rear-mounted engine configuration places unusual stresses on the mounting system. Severe deterioration results in excessive engine movement that can damage surrounding components and make the car unpleasant to drive.
Failed engine mounts allow the engine to move excessively, potentially damaging fuel lines, electrical connections, or exhaust components. The car becomes unpleasant to drive with increased noise and vibration. Complete mount replacement is typically required as the failure mode affects all mounts simultaneously.
Check all auxiliary systems during the test drive — air conditioning (both hot and cold), engine mounts (excessive vibration at idle or clunking when pulling away) and all belt-driven accessories. Listen for squealing or chirping from the belt area.
Lambda coefficient readings fall outside specification at 8.2 times the national average rate on petrol variants. Small engines appear particularly sensitive to lambda sensor degradation, possibly due to the sensors working harder to maintain emissions compliance on low-displacement units. Failed sensors cause poor fuel economy and emissions test failure.
Failed lambda sensors cause poor fuel economy, increased emissions, and MOT failure. The engine may run poorly with reduced power and responsiveness. Sensor replacement is straightforward but access may be difficult on the rear-mounted engine configuration.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Smart CITY Passion 61 common problems page.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 6k miles) typically costs £40–£60 at an independent garage.
See the full Smart CITY Passion 61 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Smart CITY Passion 61 has some well-documented weak points, including 2 safety-critical issues that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Smart CITY Passion 61, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Smart CITY Passion 61 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.