MOT performance
Smart Forfour MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 48,547 MOT tests of the Smart Forfour in 2023–2024, 73.5% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Smart Forfours failed 23% more often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively”, on 3.42% of tests.
48,547 MOT tests on 24,600 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 73.5% | ±0.4 pts (95%), n = 48,547 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 1.23× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 8.0% | n = 48,547 |
| Average age at test | 7.7 years | n = 48,547 |
| Median mileage at test | 38,598 miles | n = 48,547 |
| Vehicles tested | 24,600 | 2023–2024 |
Where Smart Forfours fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 8.1% | +18% |
| Tyres | 7.8% | +43% |
| Driver's view of the road | 6.1% | +50% |
| Suspension | 6.1% | +14% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.2% | +112% |
| Brakes | 4.2% | -7% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 2.2% | +19% |
| Steering | 0.9% | -26% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.4% | -33% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.3% | +48% |
| Road wheels | 0.2% | -22% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | -4% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 3.42% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 3.26% |
| Stop lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.85% |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 2.49% |
| Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.13% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 1.97% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 1.83% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 1.63% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.39% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 1.36% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 16.91% |
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 10.37% |
| Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 9.84% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 5.99% |
| Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 3.97% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 5,389 | 84.3% | +34% |
| 5-6 | 16,337 | 79.4% | +28% |
| 7-8 | 18,660 | 71.5% | +32% |
| 9-10 | 2,457 | 65.3% | +29% |
| 16+ | 5,611 | 56.3% | -1% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3,910 | 83.2% | 1.40× |
| 2018 | 7,708 | 82.3% | 1.24× |
| 2017 | 9,573 | 78.1% | 1.27× |
| 2016 | 10,600 | 73.1% | 1.34× |
| 2015 | 11,042 | 69.0% | 1.32× |
| 2006 | 2,243 | 56.9% | 0.98× |
| 2005 | 2,324 | 55.9% | 1.00× |
| 2004 | 813 | 54.9% | 1.01× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Check a specific Smart Forfour
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.