2019 · 5 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2019 Smart Forfour MOT pass rate and common faults

1,925 MOT tests in 2024. 81.6% passed first time, compared with 84.9% for all cars the same age.

96Below average
Passed first time81.6%
Failed or needed repairs18.4%
Typical mileage at test23,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,925 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively4.5%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
    64 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.7%
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.7%
    40 marked dangerous
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.5%
    34 marked dangerous
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.0%
  7. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.8%
  8. Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative0.8%
  9. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn0.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres8.5%
  2. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.2%
  3. Lights & electrics4.2%
  4. Brakes3.2%
  5. Suspension2.2%
  6. Emissions & leaks0.9%
  7. Body & chassis0.4%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.6%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.9%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.5%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick4.9%
  5. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn3.7%

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 2019 Smart Forfour?

In 2024, 81.6% of 2019 Smart Forfour cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,925 tests. The average for all 5-year-old cars was 84.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2019 Smart Forfour?

The most common failure reasons were wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2019 Smart Forfour reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 96, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).