2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Smart Forfour MOT pass rate and common faults

196 MOT tests in 2024. 49.5% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

88Well below average
Passed first time49.5%
Failed or needed repairs50.5%
Typical mileage at test101,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 196 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively7.7%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect7.7%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play7.1%
  4. Door condition: cannot be opened from outside the vehicle5.6%
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.1%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements5.1%
  7. Headlamp: lens seriously defective4.1%
  8. Stop lamp: not working3.6%
  9. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam3.1%
  10. Position lamp: not working3.1%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics49.0%
  2. Brakes19.9%
  3. Suspension16.8%
  4. Body & chassis11.2%
  5. Emissions & leaks11.2%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.7%
  7. Tyres9.7%
  8. Steering9.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened16.3%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure14.3%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened13.3%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.3%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.7%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Smart Forfour?

In 2024, 49.5% of 2004 Smart Forfour cars passed their MOT first time, across 196 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Smart Forfour?

The most common failure reasons were wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Smart Forfour reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 88, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).