What are the most common problems with a 2007 Smart Forfour?

The biggest MOT weak spot is headlights: flagged on 24.4% of tests, 2.2× the rate for all 2007 cars.

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 2007 Smart Forfour?

Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2007 Smart Forfour as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

2007 Smart Forfour: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Smart Forfour first registered in 2007: we looked at the 168 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 168 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

168MOTs of 2007 cars, done in 2023–2025

46%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)

5,200typical miles a year

2.2×the usual rate for headlights

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2007 Smart Forfour?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2007 Smart Forfour than on all cars registered in 2007.

Headlights2.2× usual

Smart Forfour
24.4% All 2007 cars
11.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 10.7%, against 4.5% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Common 2007 Smart Forfour MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2007 Smart Forfour MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Lights and electrics

54% 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

39% 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.
Suspension

38% 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.
Tyres

33% 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

14% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

8% of testsRough price £80–£600

At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2007 Smart Forfour

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2007 Smart Forfour as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Smart Forfour?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Smart Forfour compared

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2022	–	Too few tests
2021	–	Too few tests
2020	–	Too few tests
2019	5,746	Tyres 28%
2018	11,318	Tyres 31%
2017	14,152	Tyres 32%
2016	15,704	Tyres 33%
2015	16,282	Tyres 32%
2006	1,378	Lights and electrics 46%
2005	1,765	Lights and electrics 48%
2004	616	Lights and electrics 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Smart Forfour cars first registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score