What You Should Know About Smart Payments
Smart cars are no longer available for direct financing in the U.S., but you can still find them for sale in Europe.
Written by Jasmine Kanter
Reviewed by Brenna Swanston
Table of Contents
New Smart cars are only sold and financed abroad, so if you want to buy one, you’ll have to find out how to do so overseas.
Mercedes-Benz
now owns Smart Car
and conducts all of its business across the Atlantic. Smart dealerships can be found in most of the EU nations, plus Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Maybe you’ve got dual citizenship, maybe you're on vacation, or maybe you’re hoping to import one of these tiny wonders—whatever the situation, we’ve got you covered!Read on to learn what you should know about Smart payments and how to make them while you’re on American soil.
How to pay your Smart car bill
The most important thing to keep in mind while paying off your car loan is that what you can and can’t do depends on the bank that loaned you the money.
Mercedes-Benz Financial Services (MBFS)
operates locations across more than a dozen European countries, each of which has its own laws and regulations. Treat the following as a general guide, but always defer to the terms of your finance contract.Online
No matter where you bought your Smart car, you can register for a
Mercedes me online account
. With it, you can view the terms of your agreement, establish pre-authorized payments, and make lump sum transfers. If you’re an international traveler, making an account allows you to keep track of your finances wherever you find an internet connection.By phone or mail
If you’d like to make a payment by phone or by mail, don’t forget about long-distance fees! Not every bank offers these services, so you should get in touch with the location that financed your agreement. Not sure who that is? Check your financial contract; it should list the company you signed with and their contact info.
Here’s how to contact the biggest MBFS offices in every country with a Smart car dealership:
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By money transfer
You might be able to transfer money directly from your account using an international service like
WorldRemit
, Xe
, or Wise
. As with any financial matter, it pays to be cautious.Here’s what to do:
- Contact your bank and ask if they accept international money transfers and what service they use.
- Create an account with the service in question.
- Select your bank from the list of institutions or ask them for the correct routing number or account codes.
You might want to send only a small amount of money at first and then to check with your bank to see if they’ve received it. Keep in mind that international transfers take longer to process, so you should pay ahead of time to avoid any late fees. Your bank should never ask you for your login information to a third-party website or offer to make the payments for you.
Can I make my Smart payments with a credit card?
It depends on the laws of the country where you bought your Smart car. For example, many British dealers prefer that you use your credit card to pay for a car. But if you're shopping in France, the only thing you can pay for with plastic is a deposit. Ask your bank if they accept credit cards.
Is there a grace period for Smart car payments?
American banks typically don't report late payments until they're 30 days past due. However, this is another practice that varies by country. If you're having trouble making your car payments, you might want to trim the fat from your other bills, like those for
car insurance
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FAQs
What’s the lowest credit score Smart will finance?
Mercedes-Benz Financial Services only approves applicants with a credit score of at least 650.
Is there an electric Smart car?
Yes, there is! The smart EQ Fortwo debuted in the U.S. in 2017 and vanished two years later, but it’s still going strong overseas. In fact, it's doing so well that a brand-new, four-seat model will soon join the family of
Smart electric cars
.Reduce your monthly car payments in minutes?
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