Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto (2009)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 42 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,794

£150/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

799cc Diesel

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £1,794/year to run. 11 points below average.

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Diesel799cc17 years old42 tests80k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 799cc)

~55 mpg

£1,219

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£20

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£1,794

Per month£150/mo

Per week£35/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

71% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Smart brand average of 80%.

71% of MOT tests on Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Autos from 2009 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 15 years old. That's based on 42 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 80,164 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2009 models448th of 555(bottom 20%)

Rank among Smart models108th of 123(bottom 14%)

vs average of all models-11%(82% avg)

vs 2009 models average-3%(74% avg)

vs Smart average-9%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

80,164

Average miles

111,000

Expected for age

The average 2009 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto had 80,164 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 111,000 miles for a 15-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2013	86%	97	61,771 mi
2012	77%	60	63,436 mi
2011	71%	75	79,559 mi
2010	81%	155	71,910 mi
2009	71%	42	80,164 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Vauxhall Corsa

2009 · 1248cc Diesel

£1,944/year

73%

+2%

Vauxhall Astra

2008 · 1248cc Diesel

£1,944/year

72%

+1%

Fiat 500

2010 · 1248cc Diesel

£1,944/year

73%

+2%

SEAT Ibiza

2011 · 1199cc Diesel

£1,794/year

74%

+3%

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About the 2009 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto

The 2009 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto is a city car. Our records list a 799cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 42 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 20% of 2009 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 80,164 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2009 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto Fuel Costs

The modest 799cc diesel engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,219 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2009 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,794 (£150/month), broken down as £1,219 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 71% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 2009 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto

At 17 years old, the Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. Note: with only 42 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 80k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2009 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto(2009)	71%	£1,219	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,794
Vauxhall Corsa(2009)	73%	£1,219	£170	Grp 8-20	£1,944+£150
Vauxhall Astra(2008)	72%	£1,219	£170	Grp 8-20	£1,944+£150
Fiat 500(2010)	73%	£1,219	£170	Grp 8-20	£1,944+£150
SEAT Ibiza(2011)	74%	£1,219	£20	Grp 5-15	£1,794same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2009 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto

Is the 2009 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 71% of MOT tests on 2009 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Autos ended in a pass, from 42 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 11 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2009 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,794 a year (£150 a month): £1,219 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto?

71% of 42 MOT tests on the 2009 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 448th of 555 models first registered in 2009 (bottom 20%).

What is the average mileage for a 2009 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2009 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto is 80,164 miles, which is below the expected 111,000 miles for a 15-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.