SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD AUTO (2009)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 101 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,380
£115/month
MOT Pass Rate
83%
Good
Road Tax
£20
Based on CC/year
Insurance
Grp 1-8
999cc Petrol
Solid Option
83% pass rate, £1380/year to run. Close to the national average.
Check a specific SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD AUTO
Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.
Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Based on 999cc
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
Get an insurance quote for this SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD AUTO
Compare quotes and find the best deal
Reliability Verdict
Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.
At 17 years old, 83% of SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD AUTOs from 2009 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 101 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 62,021 miles.
Got a SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD AUTO you're looking at?
Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.
How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
62,021
Average miles
125,800
Expected for age
The average 2009 SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD AUTO has 62,021 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 125,800 miles for a 17-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.
Looking at a specific SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD AUTO?
Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.
Best Year to Buy?
The most reliable year is the 2010 model with a 83% MOT pass rate, while the 2011 model has the lowest at 80%. The 2009 sits between the two at 83%.
SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD AUTO by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
Check a Specific Smart Fortwo pulse mhd auto
Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.
Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.
About the 2009 SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD AUTO
The 2009 SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD AUTO is a city car with a 999cc petrol engine. 101 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2009, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.
With an average of 62,021 miles at 17 years old, SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD AUTO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.
2009 SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD AUTO Fuel Costs
The modest 999cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2009 SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD AUTO?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,380 (£115/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 83% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.
SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD AUTO Reliability Trend
The SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD AUTO has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.
Buying a Used 2009 SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD AUTO
At 17 years old, the SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2010 model has the highest pass rate at 83%.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2009 SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD AUTO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Coil Pack Failure
Medium riskSmaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.
Rust and Corrosion
Watch outAt 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 outRubber 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 riskAlways 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 MHD AUTO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD AUTO(2009) | 83% | £955 | £20 | Grp 1-8 | £1380 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2011) | 75% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1722+£342 |
| FORD FIESTA(2008) | 72% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1722+£342 |
| VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2011) | 75% | £955 | £30 | Grp 5-15 | £1540+£160 |
| PEUGEOT 207(2010) | 70% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1722+£342 |
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.
Related Smart Models
Explore other Smart cars or similar models in the same category.
SMART FORTWO PASSION MHD AUTO
2013 · 999cc Petrol
SMART ROADSTER 80 AUTO(RHD)
2004 · 698cc Petrol
SMART FORTWO PASSION 71 AUTO
2008 · 999cc Petrol
VAUXHALL CORSA
2011 · 1398cc Petrol
FORD FIESTA
2008 · 1388cc Petrol
VOLKSWAGEN POLO
2011 · 1198cc Petrol
Related Guides
In-depth articles relevant to the Smart Fortwo pulse mhd auto.
Cheapest Cars to Run in 2026: Real Data from 19.8 Million MOT Tests
9 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Insure in the UK: Insurance Groups 1-10
9 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Run in the UK: A Complete Cost Breakdown
11 min read
Car ChecksCheapest Stolen Car Check UK 2026: The Only Smart Choice
8 min read
Car ChecksCar History Check Under £10 UK: The Only Smart Pick in 2026
8 min read
Check a specific SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD AUTO
Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.
Premium History Check
Buying a SMART FORTWO PULSE MHD AUTO? Our premium check covers:
- Stolen check (PNC)
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
- Previous owners count
Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data