Used car guide

2005 Smart (mcc) Forfour: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Smart (mcc) Forfours, from 459 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 459 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

459MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
4,600typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Smart (mcc) Forfours than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.8× usual
    Smart (mcc) Forfour
    13.5% All 2005 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.8% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Track rod ends2.1× usual
    Smart (mcc) Forfour
    12.9% All 2005 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 2.6% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.2× usual
    Smart (mcc) Forfour
    9.2% All 2005 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.5% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 5% here, against 14.9% of all 2005 cars. Engine oil leaks: 5% here, against 14.5% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 Smart (mcc) Forfour MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    52% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    47% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    40% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    32% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    15% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    8% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Smart (mcc) Forfour?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20191,941Tyres 31%
20183,783Tyres 31%
20174,756Tyres 31%
20165,283Tyres 32%
20155,421Tyres 32%
2006378Lights and electrics 47%
2004167Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Smart (mcc) Forfours registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score