Representative example
Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 13.9%, annual interest rate (fixed) 13.9%, 59 monthly payments of £170.88 followed by 1 payment of £180.88, total cost of credit is £2,762.80, total amount payable is £10,262.80.
Used Smart ForTwo Cars for Sale
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Used Smart ForTwo
AA Cars works closely with thousands of UK used car dealers to bring you one of the largest selections of Smart ForTwo cars on the market. You can also browse Smart dealers to find a second hand car close to you today. All used Smart ForTwo on the AA Cars website come with free 12 months breakdown cover.
Expert Opinion
Small, quirky and economic, when the Smart ForTwo was first revealed in 1998 it was a revolutionary concept, and arguably one of the most inventive and visually exciting cars to enter the market in years. Fifteen years and a generation later, it may have lost some of that initial quirky appeal, but it remains one of the most unique and idiosyncratic cars on UK roads. It's no refined motorway cruiser and it's certainly not something to take driving along high windy cliffs, but as a city runaround which is cheap to run, incredibly easy to park, and iconic in its design, it is hard to fault.
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About Smart ForTwo
First released in 1998, the Smart ForTwo is today instantly recognisable for its tiny frame, its idiosyncratic style and its playful nature. It's no motorway cruiser, but for life in the traffic-heavy city, the ForTwo is still perfect suited. Despite its age, the ForTwo design remains modern and unique - although cars such as the Toyota iQ have borrowed heavily from it - and remains an efficient, innovative and fun city car.
Why buy a used ForTwo?
Designed for life in cramped urban environments, the ForTwo's primary strengths are its compact size, nimble ability and its excellent run costs. At just over 2.5 metres long it is far from a practical family car, but inside it is far from cluttered or claustrophobic. Despite its short length, the latest generation car manages to fit in a 220 litre boot, which beats that available in both the MINI hatchback and the Fiat 500.
The space in the front is ample enough for a tall driver and passenger, which again pits it favourably against some of its rival city cars. The lack of back seats might limit its overall practicality, but in terms of its requirements - shopping trips, A to B journeys - it is very well equipped and comfortable.
Where it falls behind its rival city cars is in its drive. Up to 40mph it copes well, but beyond that its compact frame and conservative engines start to struggle, which makes the ForTwo a car at odds with even the idea of motorway cruising. A 1.0 litre petrol engine offers 71bhp in its base model, but this extends up to 102bhp in the flagship Brabus model. Its top speed of 90mph is certainly not to be sniffed at, but maintaining this speed is hard; especially considering the effect of crosswinds on the dinky car.
The smallest diesel option - a 0.8 litre diesel engine - offers the best efficiency, with returns of an impressive 85.6mph combined, and CO2 emissions of just 86g/km. As the power increases so to do run costs, but even the top of the range 101bhp petrol engine returns an impressive 54.3mpg and emissions of just 119g/km.
An electrically powered version first released on limited run in 2007, the Smart ForTwo Electric Drive, offers a cleaner performance option, but requires a safe place where it can be plugged in to charge. A decent 70 mile range makes it good as a city runaround, but as a car which can compete with its petrol and diesel fuelled siblings it has some progress yet to make.
In the city its performance is good, and with power steering fitted it is easily manoeuvrable, offers excellent all round visibility, and manages a tiny turning circle. The ride can be a little bit unrefined - especially at speed - and suspension lacks the forgiving nature that uneven UK roads requires, but it makes up for what it lacks in comfort it makes up for in charm and being able to slip in and out of the tightest traffic jams and the smallest parking space.
ForTwo updates
The first Smart ForTwo was released in 1998, and is soon to be entering its third generation.
Here is a short history of the ForTwo, starting with its launch in 1998.
- The first Smart ForTwo was unveiled at the 1998 Paris Motor Show, where it was badged as the Smart City Coupé.
- In 2002 the ForTwo received a facelift, which increased the size of the engine in the base model from 599cc to 698cc.
- A jointly developed ForTwo from Smart and Brabus was released in 2003, and featured a 698cc engine 74bhp, 110 Nm of torque, wider set wheels and a revised exterior including a new grill and exhaust.
- 2007 saw the release of the second generation ForTwo, which added slightly more length and a better safety rating to the existing model. Design-wise it changed very little.
- That same year 100 units of the new Smart Electric Drive were released in London, featuring a fully electrical powertrain.
- The third generation ForTwo is set to begin production toward the end of 2013.
Which used ForTwo should I buy?
Although there's not much space for unnecessary equipment in the ForTwo, there are a good amount of options available. Here are the trim levels in the latest generation and their key features.
Smart ForTwo Pulse
H7 projection headlights, lockable glove compartment with terminal strip, RDS radio with AUX and USB connectivity, ESP, ABS, crash sensor, automatic hill start, 15" allow wheels.
Smart ForTwo Passion
H7 projection headlights, lockable glove compartment with terminal strip, RDS radio with AUX and USB connectivity, ESP, ABS, crash sensor, automatic hill start, air con, 15" alloy wheels, air con.
Smart ForTwo Brabus Xclusive
H7 projection headlights, lockable glove compartment with terminal strip, Brabus styling kit including front spoiler, and sports exhaust system, RDS radio with AUX and USB connectivity, ESP, ABS, crash sensor, automatic hill start, air con, 15" alloy wheels, air con, LED daytime running lights, Brabus sports suspension.
What should I look for when buying a used ForTwo?
Check for some of these commonly found faults to ensure that you walk away with a Smart ForTwo in good condition.
- Some ForTwos have suffered from their keys and remote controls losing their codes, which causes them to stop working. Check that this is not the case, as any new keys will need to be ordered from Smart and can be a lengthy process.
- Make sure all headlights and indicators work, as replacing a bulb requires the full front of the car to be removed.
- Check that all panels and body kit are free from dents, scratches and cracks. Any visible damage - even if it may seem minor on other cars - could be a sign of a problem on the compact ForTwo.
- Make sure there are no water leaks by feeling the front footwell carpet. If it is damp it could be a sign of a leak; something which could prove to be a problem due to the electrics which run under the front carpet.
- Leave the car parked for 10 to 15 minutes, then check for any oil deposits under the engine. Any oil leaks normally come from the intercooler tract, which will need to be replaced.
- As they are designed as affordable city runarounds, any ForTwo with a high mileage (anything over 50,000) is likely to have a high level of engine wear. Be aware that a Smart car with a 50,000 mileage will display as much wear as a cruising car with 100,000 miles on the clock.
- Any knocking noises coming from the front suspension when driving over bumps could be a sign of a bottom ball joint which should be replaced. Knocking from the back will mean either a problem with a bottom bush or the shock absorbers.
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