Smart Forfour Black Edition (2004)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 37 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,900

£158/month

MOT Pass Rate

70%

Average

Road Tax

£170

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1124cc Petrol

Check Carefully

70% pass rate, £1,900/year to run. 12 points below average.

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Petrol1124cc22 years old37 tests100k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1124cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£170

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£1,900

Per month£158/mo

Per week£37/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

70% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Smart brand average of 80%.

70% of MOT tests on Smart Forfour Black Editions from 2004 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 20 years old. That's based on 37 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 99,591 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 models325th of 470(bottom half)

Rank among Smart models112th of 123(bottom 10%)

vs average of all models-12%(82% avg)

vs 2004 models average-2%(72% avg)

vs Smart average-10%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

99,591

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2004 Smart Forfour Black Edition had 99,591 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Smart Forfour Black Edition by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2005	61%	41	102,558 mi
2004	70%	37	99,591 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Focus

2006 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

73%

+3%

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+1%

Honda Jazz

2006 · 1339cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+1%

Vauxhall Corsa

2006 · 1229cc Petrol

£2,353/year

68%

-2%

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About the 2004 Smart Forfour Black Edition

The 2004 Smart Forfour Black Edition is a city car. Our records list a 1124cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 37 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2004, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 99,591 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Smart Forfour Black Edition owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 Smart Forfour Black Edition Fuel Costs

The modest 1124cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2004 Smart Forfour Black Edition?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,900 (£158/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 70% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 2004 Smart Forfour Black Edition

At 22 years old, the Smart Forfour Black Edition is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. Note: with only 37 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 100k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2004 Smart Forfour Black Edition stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Smart Forfour Black Edition(2004)	70%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£1,900
Ford Focus(2006)	73%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£328
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£328
Honda Jazz(2006)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£253
Vauxhall Corsa(2006)	68%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,353+£453

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2004 Smart Forfour Black Edition

Is the 2004 Smart Forfour Black Edition reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 70% of MOT tests on 2004 Smart Forfour Black Editions ended in a pass, from 37 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2004 Smart Forfour Black Edition cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,900 a year (£158 a month): £1,175 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Smart Forfour Black Edition?

70% of 37 MOT tests on the 2004 Smart Forfour Black Edition ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 325th of 470 models first registered in 2004 (bottom half).

What is the average mileage for a 2004 Smart Forfour Black Edition?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2004 Smart Forfour Black Edition is 99,591 miles, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.