2004 Smart Forfour · 1,474 MOT tests
2004 Smart Forfour reliability
2004 Smart Forfours fail 45% of first MOT tests, 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 8 Forfour years (1,474 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Smart Forfours: 25.6%)
- 45%
- first-time fail rate (all Smart Forfours: 25.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 3% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 104,582
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,474
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2005 cars: 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age (level)
- Weak spot: steering, 5.8% of tests fail here (40% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: suspension, 26% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Smart Forfour
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics27.9%
- Brakes13%
- Suspension12.7%
- Body, chassis and structure10.4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.7%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.9%
- Tyres6.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 7.87%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Position lamp not working 4.88%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.93%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.53%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Stop lamp not working 3.46%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.39%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Common advisories
Brake disc pitted or scored (14.65%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (12.21%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.08%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (11.53%) · Brake pads wearing thin (7.87%) · Headlamp lens has a coating (6.45%)
Other years
Every Smart Forfour year
The full picture: Smart Forfour reliability. Before you pay for any Smart Forfour, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2004 Smart Forfour reliable?
2004 Smart Forfours fail 45% of first MOT tests, 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 8 Forfour years (1,474 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Smart Forfour MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (7.87% of tests), position lamp not working (4.88% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.93% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Smart Forfour have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Smart Forfour shows 104,582 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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