Smart ForTwo 453
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Smart ForTwo 453 (2014–2022) is a completely redesigned city car that ditched the old softtouch automated manual transmission in favour of the Twinamic dual-clutch gearbox — a massive improvement, but one with its own quirks. Two engine choices: the M281 1.0L naturally aspirated (45 or 52 kW) and the H4B 0.9L turbo (66 or 80 kW Brabus).
The engines: The M281 is rock-solid but underpowered — adequate for the city, but the 45 kW version runs out of steam the moment the road opens up. It has one known weakness: the variable valve timing solenoid sticks on both the turbo and non-turbo variants, triggering a check engine light (P0016) and rough idle. Part costs around €150–200, easy DIY replacement. The H4B Renault turbo is the pick of the range. More punch, good economy, and genuinely reliable — just watch for the wastegate actuator, which can fail from as early as 10,000–50,000 km. The plastic crown gear inside the actuator breaks, causing a yellow warning light and power loss. The official fix is a new turbo (€2,500), but a standalone actuator repair costs €220–600 and is the smarter move.
Twinamic DCT: The dual-clutch can judder and shunt at low speeds in stop-start traffic — this is a calibration trait, not a defect. From around 60,000–80,000 km the clutch actuator motors (M14/M15) corrode and fail, losing either odd gears (1st, 3rd, 5th) or even gears. Repair: replace the actuator motors, not the whole transmission. Budget €500–1,500 at an independent specialist; main dealer prices are higher.
Recalls to check: Three safety recalls affect 453 production: windscreen bonding adhesive (November 2020 build date), front steering knuckle manufacturing defect (2017–2019), and emergency braking assist failure (2016–2019). Check the recall status with the VIN before buying.
Whole-vehicle: Drum brakes at the rear corrode fast — especially low-mileage city cars that rarely use them hard. Budget €150–500 for rear brake renewal. Battery drains on 2015–2016 examples. Convertible models: check soft-top motor and rear seal.
Test-drive checklist: Does the Twinamic hesitate or shunt from a standstill? Any yellow warning light (wastegate)? Rev the cold engine — VVT rattle at idle that disappears after 30 seconds? Try the infotainment: touchscreen crashes were common on early 453 builds. For turbo cars: any smoke at startup?
2026 market: 2015–2016 M281 from €6,000. H4B 66 kW from €8,000. Brabus 80 kW from €10,000. Best buy: H4B 66 kW manual, 2019–2021, under 60,000 km — updated clutch calibration, no recall issues, Renault engine with proven track record.
109 PS
ForTwo · Benzin
Brabus with bite
Fun to Drive!61–71 PS
1.0L Benzin
4 weaknesses
Good ChoiceBody Variants
The Smart ForTwo 453 is available as Coupé and Convertible — choose your body type for specific insurance data:
Generations
Engine Overview
The Smart ForTwo 453 is available with 3 engine variants — from 61 to 109 hp.
The Renault three-cylinder turbo (identical to the Renault Twingo III unit) is the best engine Smart has ever fitted. Punchy, economical and reliable. The Brabus version (80 kW) adds even more driving fun. The clear recommendation for the Smart 453.
- !! Wastegate actuator faulty — moisture and crown gear failure from 50,000 km
The known wastegate fault also affects the facelifted H4B. Moisture in the plastic housing destroys the electronics and crown gear. Renault has offered the wastegate as a separate spare part from 2020.
Symptoms: Yellow engine warning light, power loss, no boost pressure, limp mode - !! Twinamic dual clutch — wear in city traffic from 80,000 km
The DCT gearbox in the Smart 453 shifts at high revs, which reduces comfort. In stop-and-go traffic the clutch slips continuously in 2nd gear.
Symptoms: Harsh shifting, juddering on pull-away, clutch smell, delayed engagement, gearbox fault message - ! Coolant loss at hose connections from 80,000 km
Isolated cases of coolant loss at hose connections. In the Smart with the engine at the rear and the radiator at the front, the coolant lines run the full length of the underfloor.
Symptoms: Dropping coolant level, coolant warning light, damp patches on hoses, steam from a hot engine
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The naturally aspirated three-cylinder in the Smart 453 is solid but underpowered. With only 52 kW it lacks punch on the motorway. Adequate for pure city use; otherwise go for the H4B 0.9 turbo.
- !! Timing chain stretches with neglected oil changes from 95,000 km
The timing chain of the three-cylinder can rattle from around 90,000 km with poor oil maintenance. Reports show rattling after extended oil change intervals. Rare with regular servicing.
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start, metallic clattering, engine warning light with advanced wear - ! Sump gasket leaking — bonded sheet-metal sump from 50,000 km
The thin sheet-metal sump is only bonded with sealant and starts leaking from around 40,000 km. A new sump costs about €70; the old one warps on removal.
Symptoms: Oil patches under the vehicle, oil-coated sump, dropping oil level between services - ! Lambda sensor faulty — increased consumption and engine warning light from 40,000 km
The lambda sensor on the M281 can also fail at low mileage. Fuel consumption rises noticeably, petrol smell at the exhaust. Some vehicles had the sensor replaced under warranty.
Symptoms: Engine warning light, petrol smell, juddering under load changes, consumption rises to up to 10 l/100km
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Electric variants of the ForTwo and ForFour. Various battery sizes depending on generation and facelift.
No known weaknesses documented.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Twinamic Dual Clutch Judders on Pull-Away The 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox (twinamic) judders and bucks especially when pulling away in city traffic and in cold conditions. Mainly affects the 66 kW engine. Software updates help partially; at heavy wear, clutch replacement is necessary (approx. €3,500). Symptoms: Judder on pull-away, noticeable shift interruptions, three horizontal bars instead of gear readout, vehicle enters limp mode from 60,000 km | High |
Test Reports
TÜV Report 2024
Smart ForTwo 453 performs significantly better at the MOT than its predecessors. Few serious defects; minor observations for brake discs (surface corrosion on low-mileage examples).
2024-01AUTO BILD TÜV-Report 2025
The facelifted ForTwo 453 shows the typical weaknesses of the model line at the MOT: dipped headlight defect rates climb above average from the second MOT onwards. Driveshafts remain fault-free; steering and track rods are rarely flagged.
2024-11Top Reported Issues
Alternatives
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 27 weaknesses have been documented for the Smart ForTwo 453 (2014–2022) — 8 engine-related and 19 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Gearbox, Electronics, Brakes, Suspension. Considered reliable: M281 (1.0L).
ForTwo (H4B, 2014–2019) — Be Careful: Wastegate actuator faulty — moisture and crown gear failure, Twinamic dual clutch — wear in city traffic, Coolant loss at hose connections. Power: 90 PS.
ForTwo (H4B, 2016–2019) — Be Careful: Wastegate actuator faulty — moisture and crown gear failure, Twinamic dual clutch — wear in city traffic, Coolant loss at hose connections. Power: 109 PS.
What to watch out for with the Smart ForTwo? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee