2018 Smart Forfour · 13,320 MOT tests
2018 Smart Forfour reliability
2018 Smart Forfours fail 17.1% of first MOT tests, 35% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 8 Forfour years (13,320 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Smart Forfours: 25.6%)
- 17.1%
- first-time fail rate (all Smart Forfours: 25.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 35% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 5
- 24,288
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 5
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 13,320
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2018 against the years either side
- 2017 cars: 37% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2018 car does better)
- 2019 cars: 45% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2018 car does better)
- Weak spot: windscreen, wipers and mirrors, 6.4% of tests fail here (106% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Plates: a 2018 car carries a 67 plate (January–February 2018), or a 18 plate (March–August 2018), or a 68 plate (September–December 2018).
Common problems
What fails on a 2018 Smart Forfour
Fail rate by area
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.4%
- Tyres6.3%
- Lights and electrics2.8%
- Brakes2.4%
- Suspension1.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.3%
- Body, chassis and structure0.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.19%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.12%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.46%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.26%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.16%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.01%
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.86%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.21%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.2%) · Brake pads wearing thin (4.21%) · Brake discs showing some wear (3.12%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (1.78%)
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 2018 Smart Forfour reliable?
2018 Smart Forfours fail 17.1% of first MOT tests, 35% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 8 Forfour years (13,320 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2018 Smart Forfour MOT?
Most often wiper blade not clearing windscreen (4.19% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.12% of tests), windscreen washer fluid insufficient (1.46% of tests).
How many miles should a 2018 Smart Forfour have done?
At its MOT aged about 5, a typical 2018 Smart Forfour shows 24,288 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2018 car?
A car first registered in 2018 carries a 67 plate (January–February 2018), or a 18 plate (March–August 2018), or a 68 plate (September–December 2018).
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