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Smart Forfour Common Problems, Faults & Repair Costs (2026)

Based on official DVSA MOT test data. View the most common MOT failure categories, pass rates, and estimated repair costs for the Smart Forfour (2014–present).

MOT Pass Rate

77.2%4.8% below national avg (82%)

Reliability rating: Good — based on approx. 8,000 tests

Dangerous Defects

2.00%

Moderate risk

Retest Rate

15.0%

of failed tests need a retest

Top MOT Failure Categories

1

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

Est. repair: £40–£200

16.8%
2

Suspension

Est. repair: £120–£450

13.5%
3

Brakes

Est. repair: £100–£350

12.0%
4

Tyres

Est. repair: £50–£120 per tyre

11.0%
5

Exhaust, fuel and emissions

Est. repair: £40–£200

8.5%

Where Faults Occur

32.0%

Front

27.0%

Rear

19.0%

Offside

Mileage Benchmarks

At 3 years

14,000 mi

At 5 years

24,000 mi

At 10 years

N/A

Significantly higher or lower mileage than these benchmarks may indicate unusual usage patterns. Check the full MOT history for mileage consistency.

Is a Smart Forfour a Good Buy?

The Smart Forfour shows average reliability in MOT data. With a 77.2% pass rate, it sits 4.8% below the national average of 82%.

Budget for potential repairs in lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and suspension. An independent pre-purchase inspection is recommended, especially for older examples. Always check the full MOT history for recurring issues.

Smart Forfour MOT Check & History

View detailed MOT pass rates by year, mileage benchmarks, and full test history data for the Smart Forfour.

View Smart Forfour MOT Data

Check a Specific Smart Forfour

Enter a registration number to view the full MOT history for any Smart Forfour.

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Other Smart Models

Smart Fortwo

75.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Smart EQ Fortwo

87.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Smart #1

88.2%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

View all Smart models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common MOT faults on a Smart Forfour?
The top MOT failure on the Smart Forfour is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, accounting for approximately 16.8% of all failures. Other common issues include suspension and brakes.
What is the Smart Forfour MOT pass rate?
The Smart Forfour has an estimated MOT pass rate of 77.2%, which is 4.8% below the national average of 82%. This rates the Smart Forfour as "Good" for MOT reliability.
Is the Smart Forfour reliable?
Based on DVSA MOT data, the Smart Forfour has a good reliability record with a 77.2% pass rate. It has a dangerous defect rate of 2.00% and a retest rate of 15.0%.
How much does it cost to fix common Smart Forfour MOT failures?
Typical repair costs for Smart Forfour MOT failures range from £30–£200 for lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues to £120–£450 for suspension problems. Prices are estimates based on typical UK independent garage rates.
What mileage should a Smart Forfour have?
Based on MOT test data, the average Smart Forfour covers approximately 14,000 mi by 3 years, 24,000 mi by 5 years, and N/A by 10 years. Significantly higher or lower mileage may warrant closer inspection.
Should I buy a used Smart Forfour?
The Smart Forfour is generally a solid choice based on MOT data. Check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before purchasing, paying particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues and mileage consistency.
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