2004 Smart Fortwo Coupe · 1,631 MOT tests
2004 Smart Fortwo Coupe reliability
2004 Smart Fortwo Coupes fail 40.1% of first MOT tests, 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 9 Fortwo Coupe years (1,631 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Smart Fortwo Coupes: 34.8%)
- 40.1%
- first-time fail rate (all Smart Fortwo Coupes: 34.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 5% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 65,784
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,631
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: about average for its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- 2005 cars: 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- Weak spot: windscreen, wipers and mirrors, 12.7% of tests fail here (78% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 31% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Smart Fortwo Coupe
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22.4%
- Suspension12.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors12.7%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks9.3%
- Brakes8.6%
- Tyres5.3%
- Body, chassis and structure5.3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 6.44%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 5.27%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Lambda reading outside specified limits 5.03%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Stop lamp not working 4.35%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.05%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Position lamp not working 3.49%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (17.6%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.59%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (9.63%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (9.5%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.28%) · Flexible brake hose slightly deteriorated (7.05%)
Other years
Every Smart Fortwo Coupe year
The full picture: Smart Fortwo Coupe reliability. Before you pay for any Smart Fortwo Coupe, 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 2004 Smart Fortwo Coupe reliable?
2004 Smart Fortwo Coupes fail 40.1% of first MOT tests, 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 9 Fortwo Coupe years (1,631 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Smart Fortwo Coupe MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (6.44% of tests), windscreen washer fluid insufficient (5.27% of tests), lambda reading outside specified limits (5.03% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Smart Fortwo Coupe have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Smart Fortwo Coupe shows 65,784 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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