Passion

I really want to like this car but Mercedes servicing and repairs are awful!

Bought this car as a second hand car - one year old from Mercedes, or rather this was the exchange that was sourced for me, as the first car had so many niggles that it spent 5 weeks back at the dealer. To be fair to the car I don't understand why it took a Mercedes dealer 4 weeks to fix an air conditioning fault and replace the heater motor... On return to me, the car developed a clonking sound from the front suspension and Mercedes after the sixth visit back to the dealer agreed to exchange (I paid £2500 for the privilege) the 3 year old model with a 1 year old Smart with 7000miles on the clock.
This car was great for 3 months. I drive a lot of miles as I have a 100mile a day commute. At 14500miles the car shredded its drive belt (fan belt) on the M25 at 60mph. Luckily I heard it go and saw the ECO light flashing so pulled onto the hard shoulder as soon as I could. I am aware that the drive belt also drives the water pump, so if you don’t stop the car you cook the engine as it overheats. There is no warning by the way on the dash board, other than a little flashing yellow light.
Car towed back to Watford Mercedes. I would like to mention at this point though that although their service department is dismal, the sales guy was amazing and organised me a sales demonstrator as a loan car, as all of their loan cars were out. This guy has gone above and beyond what you would expect.. it just a shame that he doesn’t work on them too!
Mercedes service took 3 weeks (Xmas also inbetween) to fix my car – get a part from Germany to modify the drive belt alignment.
I get the car back nicely cleaned, but it now (next day) has developed a gearbox issue and is much noisier than it was originally.
On moving from drive (A) to reverse it now clonks or crunches and on a couple of occasions has shown two spanners on the dashboard.

The new Smart cars are really nice cars. They have updated the software that runs the gearboxs (can be done on older models also) and gearchanges are smooth. The suspension on the newer cars (2010-2011 onwards) is also softer.
They are well built, but overly complicated mechanically and in my experience Mercedes Service departments seem unable to properly service them. If you buy one out of warranty (2 years) though there are many specialist (non dealer) garages that know how to treat these cars.
I love the 60-70MPG and no road tax and there is loads of room in the cabin. I am part exchanging this car with Toyota for an IQ, as I can’t spend any more time going back and forth to Mercedes. Big Shame!

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