2015 · 9 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2015 Smart Forfour MOT pass rate and common faults

5,418 MOT tests in 2024. 67.7% passed first time, compared with 73.5% for all cars the same age.

92Below average
Passed first time67.7%
Failed or needed repairs32.3%
Typical mileage at test48,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 5,418 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn5.5%
  2. Stop lamp: not working5.3%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.0%
    321 marked dangerous
  4. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.8%
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.7%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.1%
    135 marked dangerous
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.1%
  8. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.7%
    110 marked dangerous
  9. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases1.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension12.6%
  2. Lights & electrics10.9%
  3. Tyres10.3%
  4. Emissions & leaks8.9%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.6%
  6. Brakes4.8%
  7. Body & chassis2.1%
  8. Steering0.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.8%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.1%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.4%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick6.3%
  5. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn4.3%

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: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. 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 2015 Smart Forfour?

In 2024, 67.7% of 2015 Smart Forfour cars passed their MOT first time, across 5,418 tests. The average for all 9-year-old cars was 73.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2015 Smart Forfour?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; stop lamp: not working; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2015 Smart Forfour reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 92, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).