smart Roadster 452 price

• Roadster: rear-mounted 698cc turbocharged three-cylinder engine. European versions included 61 PS and 82 PS outputs, depending on specification. El País road test, checked 4 November 2026.
• Roadster-Coupé: the same basic layout, with a glazed rear luggage area. The more powerful standard engine was used for the Coupé at launch. El País road test, checked 4 November 2026.
• Brabus, from 2004: revised engine rated at 101 bhp, with distinctive wheels, body trim and interior equipment. Check that an advertised Brabus has its original model-specific parts. Classics World, checked 4 November 2026.
• Transmission: a six-speed automated manual across the range; some cars have steering-wheel paddles. The slow shift is characteristic, while refusal to select a gear is a fault requiring diagnosis. Autocar, checked 4 November 2026.

A dry, correctly repaired car should take priority over one with the right colour or a very low odometer reading. Ask for invoices that identify where water entered and what was replaced or resealed. Test the car after rain if possible, and inspect beneath carpets and around the luggage areas. The Brabus has a distinct specification, while the Coupé’s glazed rear body and the availability of paddles affect buyer preference. Confirm the exact engine output from the vehicle record: registration year and exterior badges are insufficient. Classics World, checked 4 November 2026; Autocar, checked 4 November 2026.

Original, complete trim also matters. Plastic body panels and roof fittings can be damaged, and replacement pieces are less plentiful than they once were. A car with a functioning roof, intact panel fixings and fault-free electrics is easier to assess than one described as needing “only a seal”. If the gearbox jerks, ask a Smart specialist to distinguish normal shift behaviour from clutch or actuator trouble before valuing the car. Classics World, checked 4 November 2026.

Water ingress: Check roof seals, mirror mounts, scuttle and bulkhead, then feel beneath the carpets and in the luggage compartment. Look for condensation in lamps and corroded connectors. Water reaching the wiring or SAM electronic module can cause multiple, apparently unrelated faults, so try every switch, light and electrical function. A dry cabin on a sunny viewing is not proof that a leak has been cured. Classics World, checked 4 November 2026.

Roof operation: On a Roadster, run the powered soft top completely open and closed; damaged drive cables can prevent proper operation. Check removable panels on a Coupé for fit, secure latches and signs of water tracks. Inspect seals closely rather than accepting a roof that merely looks tidy. Classics World, checked 4 November 2026; Autocar, checked 4 November 2026.

Engine and gearbox: Blue exhaust smoke warrants investigation of the engine and turbocharger; misfiring may involve ignition coils. Check for evidence of timing-chain attention. The automated gearbox should select every ratio and reverse consistently. Excessive jerking may indicate an adjustment or clutch-actuator issue, so have it assessed rather than assuming it is simply “how Smarts drive”. Classics World, checked 4 November 2026.

Body and brakes: Examine the steel safety cell for accident repairs and inspect plastic panels for poor fit, peeling lacquer and broken clips. Check that rear lamps operate correctly. A specialist should assess any unusual hesitation at speed, as cracked rear ABS rings can imitate an engine problem. Classics World, checked 4 November 2026.

Classics World advises looking for engine-oil changes about every 7,000 miles and evidence that spark plugs were replaced during the major service. Access to some plugs is awkward, so a generic service stamp does not prove the complete job was done. Budget time for repeated seal inspection, roof cleaning and checks for damp after rain. Have a Smart specialist assess clutch adjustment and actuator condition when shifts deteriorate; clutch life depends on use. Inspect tyres, brakes and the timing chain by condition, and keep invoices for repairs to leaks or electrics because they matter to the next buyer. Classics World, checked 4 November 2026.

Do all Smart Roadsters leak? Water ingress is the model’s best-known buying risk, but the condition of an individual car must be tested. Inspect the common entry points and electrical equipment, preferably after rain. Autocar, checked 4 November 2026.

Is the Roadster gearbox an automatic? It is an automated manual, with a noticeable pause during shifts. Persistent refusal to select gears or severe jerking needs specialist diagnosis. Autocar, checked 4 November 2026; Classics World, checked 4 November 2026.

What distinguishes a Brabus? It has the higher-output engine and model-specific exterior and interior equipment. Confirm its identity and check that the distinctive parts remain fitted. Classics World, checked 4 November 2026.

Should a late registration be treated as a later-built car? No. Production ended in 2005, but remaining cars could be registered later. Use the vehicle identification and build record to establish what is being offered. Autocar buying guide search record, checked 4 November 2026.

Sources:

• Classics World Smart Roadster buying guide — checked 4 November 2026.
• Autocar Smart Roadster buying guide — checked 4 November 2026.
• El País original Roadster road test — checked 4 November 2026.