[dansouliere]

I am looking into purchasing this 2017 Smart ED from my local MB dealer. It only has 21,000km on it but I need to make sure the battery is in good condition before I purchase the car.

What test should I ask the dealer to perform to confirm the battery is good?

The sales guy said there is really no way to test each cell.

Also, does Smart offer a longer warranty on the battery or is it still 4-years 50,000miles?

 

[sokoloff]

The dealer should be able to do the test they do for the annual service that is recommended/required. They should give you a print out - demand one. Attached is what the test looks like for the 451. The 453 may be identical or at least very similar.

Len

 

[dansouliere]

Wow, thanks so much for posting that.

I found another 2017 ED in my area that had the battery fail and it was replaced under warranty just a few months ago.

Would you feel more comfortable with a new battery being replaced by the dealer is buying a car that never had an issue?

 

[sokoloff]

Which battery was replaced - the 12v or the HV? If just the 12v, it probably wouldn't make a difference to me. I'd just go with the best overall car, price, options, etc. If it was the HV battery that was just replaced, I'd go with that one depending on the warranty. Not sure what the warranty would be on a replacement HV battery, but replacement parts are typically only warranted for one year. Is the HV battery different? In any case I'd sure want them to run and show me the battery test results.

Len

 

[dansouliere]

The HV battery was replaced. Big job. They are not offering a warranty on the battery unfortunately and it's out of factory warranty now also.

 

[jimsokoloff]

The battery being brand new is excellent. Not offering a warranty on it for at least a year is not excellent, but for the right price, it's a great car.

No warranty will turn off other potential buyers (just like it is you), but the batteries in general exhibit very modest loss of capacity and the service life of the cars seem in general to be quite good.

 

[dansouliere]

My first reaction was negative when I heard it was replaced. Kinda gave me the same feeling as when you hear a car got a new engine.

 

[Jeb Baker]

"My first reaction was negative when I heard it was replaced. " No, that is excellent news! The new battery probably had to pass multiple tests before being installed. When I bought my 2017 the car's history showed a new battery was installed too. You need to get a vehicle history report on the car. (I think mine may have sat too long uncharged in a dealers lot.) I was delighted, and still am! If they haven't replaced the 12 v battery, change that though, especially if it's resting voltage is in the low 12's or lower.

 

[sokoloff]

See if you can coax them to give you or at least let you see the car's VMI (Vehicle Master Inquiry). That will tell you every maintenance item that was ever done at the dealership.

Len

 

[MB DNA]

See if you can coax them to give you or at least let you see the car's VMI (Vehicle Master Inquiry).

And if they won’t give you a copy of the VMI printout, try to get a picture of it with your phone before they “ask their manager.”

Don’t ask me how I know, sworn to secrecy…

 

[sokoloff]

Sounds like a shady operation there MB DNA. Glad I wasn't involved.

Len