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Smart ForFour reliability by build year

Coverage 2004-20242 named generationsHatchbackPETROL / ELECTRICITY / DIESEL
At a glance

Smart ForFour built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Smart ForFours built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Smart ForFour by number plate

Key figure

18% of MOT tests on Smart ForFours built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 18% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Smart ForFours built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Smart ForFour's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your ForFour's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

ForFour Mk2 (453)

Mk2 (453) (2015-2024)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLELECTRICITY

18.5% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 4,965 MOT tests at this ageView details →
ForFour Mk1 (454)

Mk1 (454) (2004-2006)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

32.5% fail rate, built around 2006 (19 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.4%)

From 1,330 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Smart ForFour.

See every build year for the Smart ForFour

Side-by-side

Smart ForFour generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk2 (453) (2015-2024)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings18.5%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 4,965 MOT tests at this age
Mk1 (454) (2004-2006)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate32.5%built around 2006 (19 years old)from 1,330 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the ForFour, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Smart ForFour fail rate by age

This chart combines every Smart ForFour ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
57914.3%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
3,27316.7%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
4,96518.5%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
6,49321.2%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
7,17323.7%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
4,07226.7%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
50231.1%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
1,33032.5%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
79230.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
9436.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 21 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Smart ForFour stacks up

Two ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other hatchbacks

57th of 84

57th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

18.5%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Smart ForFours

These issues come from 7-year-old Smart ForFours, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    20.4%
    Advisory: 1,446Fail: 155 (10% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    12.1%
    Advisory: 873Fail: 132 (13% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    11.6%
    Advisory: 705Fail: 13 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    6.5%
    Advisory: 290Fail: 80 (22% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    5.1%
    Advisory: 215Fail: 95 (31% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,965 MOT tests on 7-year-old Smart ForFours, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Smart ForFours notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres37%
  2. Other + Tyres18%
  3. Suspension + Tyres15%
  4. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers13%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 1,236 MOT tests on Smart ForFour cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

92%of this model's cars first registered in 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · The same

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Smart ForFour name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Suzuki Celerio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.5%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.5%

    Lower fail rate: 13.9%, against 18.5% for the Smart ForFour, both built around 2018.

    5,662 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    Lower fail rate: 14.2%, against 18.5% for the Smart ForFour, both built around 2018.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    15,657 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Toyota Aygo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.2%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Lower fail rate: 13.0%, against 18.5% for the Smart ForFour, both built around 2018.

    25,028 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Skoda Citigo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.6%
    Dangerous
    3.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.2%

    Lower fail rate: 15.3%, against 18.5% for the Smart ForFour, both built around 2018.

    6,553 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Smart ForFour across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 4,965 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Smart ForFour ever sold: 29,273 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 4,965 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.