2005 Smart Forfour · 4,114 MOT tests
2005 Smart Forfour reliability
2005 Smart Forfours fail 44.1% of first MOT tests, 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 3 of 8 Forfour years (4,114 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Smart Forfours: 25.6%)
- 44.1%
- 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 17
- 96,424
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 4,114
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age (level)
- 2006 cars: about average for its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- Weak spot: number plates and vin, 1.4% of tests fail here (125% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 40% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 Smart Forfour
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics27.5%
- Brakes12.3%
- Suspension11.7%
- Body, chassis and structure9.4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.5%
- Tyres6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 6.56%
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 4.74%
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 4.55%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Stop lamp not working 4.4%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.6%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.04%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Common advisories
Brake disc pitted or scored (13.42%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (11.52%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (11.3%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (10.7%) · Brake pads wearing thin (7.56%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (6.76%)
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 2005 Smart Forfour reliable?
2005 Smart Forfours fail 44.1% of first MOT tests, 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 3 of 8 Forfour years (4,114 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 Smart Forfour MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (6.56% of tests), position lamp not working (4.74% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (4.55% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 Smart Forfour have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2005 Smart Forfour shows 96,424 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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