Pre-purchase inspection
It depends on the individual car, not the model — and the only way to know is to put eyes on that specific vehicle before you pay. Here is what the record says to look for, and what an independent inspector checks on a Smart Fortwo.
NHTSA has issued 3 recall campaigns affecting 2016–2024 Smart Fortwo vehicles, concentrated in parking brake and steering. A recall applies to specific VIN ranges, so any individual car may be affected by all, some, or none of them — which is exactly what an on-site inspection establishes before you pay.
Recall campaigns by affected system, 2016–2024.
Newest first, from NHTSA campaign records. Check a specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling one 2019 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive vehicle. A welded joint within the high-voltage battery main cell conductors may detach and interrupt electrical contact, resulting in sudden battery failure. The detached weld may also cause an electrical arc which can ignite inside the battery cells.
Consequence: If the high-voltage battery fails, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an electrical arc inside the battery increases the risk of a fire.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 smart fortwo vehicles. In these vehicles, the lock nut that secures the parking brake cable to the parking brake lever may loosen over time, resulting in increased parking brake lever travel before the parking brake engages.
Consequence: As the parking brake lever travel increases, the holding force may decrease to a point where the vehicle is no longer safely secured in all parking situations, allowing the vehicle to unexpectedly move when parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.
Mercedes-Benz USA LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 smart fortwo and smart fortwo Cabriolet vehicles. Casting imperfections may result in the failure of the left front axle steering knuckle.
Consequence: Failure of the left front axle steering knuckle could affect vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting 2016–2024 Smart Fortwo vehicles. A recall applies to specific VIN ranges, so a particular car may be affected by all, some, or none of them — and an open recall does not mean the car is unsafe, only that a free remedy is available from a franchised dealer. This page details the most recent campaigns; the full record for any VIN is at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Beyond the standard pre-purchase checks, the recall history for this model concentrates in: parking brake, steering, electrical system. An inspector confirms current condition and whether recall remedies were performed.
Bronze $249, Silver $349, Gold $449. Your card is saved securely at booking and only charged after the inspection is completed. If no inspector accepts within 72 hours, the request auto-cancels and nothing is charged.
Recall data from NHTSA, retrieved 2026-08-27. Vehicle Inspectors is not affiliated with Smart. A recall is not a defect finding on any individual vehicle.
A vetted independent inspector goes to the seller’s location and documents the actual condition. Bronze $249 · Silver $349 · Gold $449.
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