2017 Smart Forfour · 16,382 MOT tests
2017 Smart Forfour reliability
2017 Smart Forfours fail 20.9% of first MOT tests, 37% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 8 Forfour years (16,382 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Smart Forfours: 25.6%)
- 20.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Smart Forfours: 25.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 37% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 6
- 31,339
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 6
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 16,382
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2017 against the years either side
- 2016 cars: 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2017 car does better)
- 2018 cars: 35% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2017 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 2.6% of tests fail here (183% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Plates: a 2017 car carries a 66 plate (January–February 2017), or a 17 plate (March–August 2017), or a 67 plate (September–December 2017).
Common problems
What fails on a 2017 Smart Forfour
Fail rate by area
- Tyres7.8%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.7%
- Lights and electrics4.3%
- Suspension2.7%
- Brakes2.7%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.6%
- Body, chassis and structure0.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.16%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.81%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.63%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.51%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.48%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Stop lamp not working 1.4%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (15.08%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.45%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.12%) · Brake pads wearing thin (5.02%) · Brake discs showing some wear (3.71%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (2.08%)
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 2017 Smart Forfour reliable?
2017 Smart Forfours fail 20.9% of first MOT tests, 37% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 8 Forfour years (16,382 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2017 Smart Forfour MOT?
Most often wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.16% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.81% of tests), windscreen washer fluid insufficient (1.63% of tests).
How many miles should a 2017 Smart Forfour have done?
At its MOT aged about 6, a typical 2017 Smart Forfour shows 31,339 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2017 car?
A car first registered in 2017 carries a 66 plate (January–February 2017), or a 17 plate (March–August 2017), or a 67 plate (September–December 2017).
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