CarCostCheck

SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION (2004)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 37 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,675

£140/month

MOT Pass Rate

70%

Average

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 5-15

1124cc Petrol

Check Carefully

70% pass rate, £1675/year to run. 12 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Petrol1124cc22 years old37 tests100k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1124cc)

~50 mpg

£955
Road Tax

Based on 1124cc

£165
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£1,675
Per month£140/mo
Per week£32/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

70% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 12 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the SMART brand average of 80%.

At 22 years old, 70% of SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITIONs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 37 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 99,591 miles.

Got a SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars343th of 491(top 70%)
Rank among SMART models112th of 123(top 91%)
vs national average-12%(82% avg)
vs 2004 cars average-2%(72% avg)
vs SMART average-10%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

99,591

Average miles

vs

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION has 99,591 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200561%41102,558 mi
200470%3799,591 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Smart Forfour black edition

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2004 SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION

The 2004 SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION is a city car with a 1124cc petrol engine. 37 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2004, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 99,591 miles at 22 years old, 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 £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (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 £1,675 140/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £165 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

Based on the 2004 SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION(2004)70%£955£165Grp 5-15£1675
FORD FOCUS(2006)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827+£152
MINI MINI(2005)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827+£152
HONDA JAZZ(2006)71%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722+£47
VAUXHALL CORSA(2006)68%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1922+£247

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Smart Models

Explore other Smart cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Smart Forfour black edition.

Check a specific SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB