2016 Smart Forfour · 17,970 MOT tests
2016 Smart Forfour reliability
2016 Smart Forfours fail 25.5% of first MOT tests, 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 7 of 8 Forfour years (17,970 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Smart Forfours: 25.6%)
- 25.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Smart Forfours: 25.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 44% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 7
- 37,387
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 7
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 17,970
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2016 against the years either side
- 2015 cars: 41% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2016 car does worse)
- 2017 cars: 37% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2016 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 5.7% of tests fail here (385% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Plates: a 2016 car carries a 65 plate (January–February 2016), or a 16 plate (March–August 2016), or a 66 plate (September–December 2016).
Common problems
What fails on a 2016 Smart Forfour
Fail rate by area
- Tyres8.1%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.1%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.7%
- Suspension5.5%
- Lights and electrics5.2%
- Brakes3.4%
- Body, chassis and structure1.8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.33%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.13%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Lambda reading outside specified limits 2.54%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.49%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Stop lamp not working 2.06%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.71%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (15.68%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.43%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.89%) · Brake pads wearing thin (5.43%) · Brake discs showing some wear (3.74%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (2.26%)
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 2016 Smart Forfour reliable?
2016 Smart Forfours fail 25.5% of first MOT tests, 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 7 of 8 Forfour years (17,970 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2016 Smart Forfour MOT?
Most often wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.33% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.13% of tests), lambda reading outside specified limits (2.54% of tests).
How many miles should a 2016 Smart Forfour have done?
At its MOT aged about 7, a typical 2016 Smart Forfour shows 37,387 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2016 car?
A car first registered in 2016 carries a 65 plate (January–February 2016), or a 16 plate (March–August 2016), or a 66 plate (September–December 2016).
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