Does the Maintenance of a Smart Car Cost More than a Normal Car?

Are you considering buying a Smart car from Mercedes-Benz, but you want to know how much money it will cost to run and maintain for years to come? It is essential to understand whether this is the right choice for you. The Smart brand of cars is on longer sold in the U.S. but ongoing maintenance is still offered by Mercedes and by service centers locally.

Some people will decide based on money alone, but many people who want a Smart car do not mind spending a little extra money. Owner’s of a Smart vehicle usually want to do their part in reducing their carbon footprint. Spending a little extra is okay, but you still need to make sure you can afford it. So let’s look at the differences between a smart car and a regular car and why their pricing may differ.

Yearly Averages

The overall yearly average on maintenance and repairs for a smart car is less than $800. So overall, that number is higher than what you would pay for a regular car. However, you might want to factor in the difference between a new car and an older car.

Many people who buy a smart car plan to keep them for as long as possible. They do not plan to get a new car every 2 to 5 years. This could be the car they are still driving 10 to 15 years from now.

When you are making overall comparisons, you have to consider that new expenses occur every time you get a new car. Also, if you had a regular car and kept it that long, the warranty would expire, and your repair and maintenance cost over time would skyrocket. Although $800 a year sounds like a lot initially, it is really not too bad as an average.

If you consider the Smart car for environmental issues, you would need to think about whether this yearly price tag is something you can afford.

The Interval Indicator System

One of the significant differences between a regular car and a Smart car is the interval indicator system. Most smart car dashboards are integrated with this computer system that lets you know that you need a specific type of maintenance.

The type of maintenance can be “A,” “B,” or “C,” with different tasks assigned to each list. It can also be due to your car hitting a specific point. For example, the Smart car requires maintenance every 10,000 miles. One of the significant differences between a Smart vehicle and a regular car is that you need to take it in as soon as possible when you are getting a maintenance warning on your Smart car. If you do not, you are risking damaging your engine or your car stopping completely, leaving you stranded somewhere.

Factoring in Your Own Driving Habits

Although the typical schedule is every 10,000 miles, you will need to factor in your own driving habits to understand when you may need to get maintenance. The car will advise you, but because it is a Smart car, it measures the way you drive and how that affects when things need to be done.

For instance, the Smart brand is algorithm-based. Therefore, it can take different variables into account, such as weather conditions, light or heavy driving amounts, load weight, and whether you are towing anything. These additional variables can affect when you need an oil change.

Even though the vehicle is going most of the math for you, you should also consider your driving habits. For instance, most people who drive in light conditions such as moderate temperatures and freeway driving will only need to get an oil change every 8,000 to 10,000 miles. However, suppose you add frequent hot or cold temperatures, off-roading, mountain roads, or moderate to heavy loads and towing. In that case, you may need to get an oil change anywhere from 3,000 miles to 7,500 miles.

Your activities change the schedule, which will also impact how much you will personally spend on repairs and maintenance yearly.

Germany’s Best, Inc. Services and Repairs Smart Cars

If you decide a smart car is right for you and you need ongoing service and maintenance, you can come to Germany’s Best Inc. We service all customers with German vehicles and provide excellent expert care to our clients in Berkeley, Emeryville, Piedmont, and Oakland, CA area. Call us today to speak with our friendly staff.