Known APK problem
Smart Fortwo II (451): springs and shock absorbers
On the Smart Fortwo II (451) the APK inspector finds springs and shock absorbers problems 2.0× as often as on cars of the same age: at 16+ years 5.4%, against about 2.7% nationally.
Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026
What is it?
Broken springs or leaking shock absorbers.
How to check it at the viewing
Push each corner down firmly: the car should rebound once. Look for oil on the dampers and whether the car sits level.
Ask the seller: Have the shock absorbers or springs ever been replaced?
By age
Share of inspected Smart Fortwo II (451)s with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.
| Age | Type | Fortwo II (451) | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 – 12 years | A | 1.0% | 1.4% | 0.7× |
| 13 – 15 years | A | 4.4% | 2.3% | 1.9× |
| 16+ years | A | 5.4% | 2.7% | 2.0× |
| 16+ years | C | 0.9% | 1.8% | 0.5× |
A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.
Comparable cars at 16+ years
| Model | Springs and shock absorbers | Vs. national |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Fortwo II (451) | 5.4% | 2.0× |
| Kia Picanto I | 0.4% | 0.2× |
| Chevrolet Spark | 3.1% | 1.1× |
| Opel Agila B | 8.0% | 3.0× |
| Renault Twingo II | 6.7% | 2.5× |
Looking at a Smart Fortwo II (451)? Check that car
Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other Smart Fortwo II (451)s of the same age.
All weak spots of the Smart Fortwo II (451) · Springs and shock absorbers: which models more often · Checklist for this model
Frequently asked questions
Does the Smart Fortwo II (451) often have springs and shock absorbers problems?
Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 16+ years the inspector found a springs and shock absorbers defect on 5.4% of inspected Smart Fortwo II (451)s, against about 2.7% of all cars of the same age (2.0×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.
How do you check the springs and shock absorbers on a used Smart Fortwo II (451)?
Push each corner down firmly: the car should rebound once. Look for oil on the dampers and whether the car sits level.
Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.
Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know