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SMART FORTWO PULSE CDI AUTO (2011)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 75 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,480

£123/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£20

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

799cc Diesel

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £1480/year to run. 11 points below average.

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Diesel799cc15 years old75 tests80k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 799cc)

~55 mpg

£905
Road Tax

Based on 799cc

£20
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£1,480
Per month£123/mo
Per week£28/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

71% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the SMART brand average of 80%.

At 15 years old, 71% of SMART FORTWO PULSE CDI AUTOs from 2011 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 75 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 79,559 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2011 cars552th of 615(top 90%)
Rank among SMART models107th of 123(top 87%)
vs national average-11%(82% avg)
vs 2011 cars average-6%(77% avg)
vs SMART average-9%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

79,559

Average miles

vs

111,000

Expected for age

The average 2011 SMART FORTWO PULSE CDI AUTO has 79,559 miles on the clock, 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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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2013 model with a 86% MOT pass rate, while the 2011 model has the lowest at 71%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

SMART FORTWO PULSE CDI AUTO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201386%9761,771 mi
201277%6063,436 mi
201171%7579,559 mi
201081%15571,910 mi
200971%4280,164 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2011 SMART FORTWO PULSE CDI AUTO

The 2011 SMART FORTWO PULSE CDI AUTO is a city car with a 799cc diesel engine. 75 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 90% of 2011 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 79,559 miles at 15 years old, SMART FORTWO PULSE CDI AUTO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2011 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 £905 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (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 2011 SMART FORTWO PULSE CDI AUTO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,480 123/month), broken down as £905 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.

SMART FORTWO PULSE CDI AUTO Reliability Trend

Newer SMART FORTWO PULSE CDI AUTOs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2011 SMART FORTWO PULSE CDI AUTO

At 15 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 75 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2011 SMART FORTWO PULSE CDI AUTO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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.

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 2011 SMART FORTWO PULSE CDI AUTO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SMART FORTWO PULSE CDI AUTO(2011)71%£905£20Grp 1-8£1480
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2012)78%£905£30Grp 8-20£1490+£10
VAUXHALL CORSA(2009)73%£905£30Grp 8-20£1490+£10
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2013)79%£905£30Grp 5-15£1490+£10
FIAT 500(2013)78%£905£30Grp 8-20£1490+£10

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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Explore other Smart cars or similar models in the same category.

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