2006 Smart Forfour · 3,933 MOT tests
2006 Smart Forfour reliability
2006 Smart Forfours fail 42.7% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 8 Forfour years (3,933 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Smart Forfours: 25.6%)
- 42.7%
- first-time fail rate (all Smart Forfours: 25.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 0% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- 92,650
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,933
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2006 against the years either side
- 2005 cars: 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2006 car does better)
- 2007 cars: 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2006 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 5.4% of tests fail here (55% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 36% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2006 car carries a 55 plate (January–February 2006), or a 06 plate (March–August 2006), or a 56 plate (September–December 2006).
Common problems
What fails on a 2006 Smart Forfour
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics25.9%
- Suspension12.1%
- Brakes11.5%
- Body, chassis and structure8%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.3%
- Tyres6.8%
- Steering5.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 5.72%
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 5.16%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Stop lamp not working 4.6%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.51%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.15%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 3.13%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Common advisories
Coil spring showing some corrosion (11.87%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.72%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (11.44%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (10.88%) · Brake pads wearing thin (6.51%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (5.8%)
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 2006 Smart Forfour reliable?
2006 Smart Forfours fail 42.7% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 8 Forfour years (3,933 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2006 Smart Forfour MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (5.72% of tests), position lamp not working (5.16% of tests), stop lamp not working (4.6% of tests).
How many miles should a 2006 Smart Forfour have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2006 Smart Forfour shows 92,650 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2006 car?
A car first registered in 2006 carries a 55 plate (January–February 2006), or a 06 plate (March–August 2006), or a 56 plate (September–December 2006).
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