SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION (2005)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 41 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,875
£156/month
MOT Pass Rate
61%
Below Avg
Road Tax
£165
Based on CC/year
Insurance
Grp 5-15
1124cc Petrol
Proceed With Caution
61% pass rate, £1875/year to run. 21 points below average.
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.
Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Based on 1124cc
Higher estimate due to low pass rate
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
Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 21 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the SMART brand average of 80%.
At 21 years old, 61% of SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITIONs from 2005 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 41 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 102,558 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.
How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
102,558
Average miles
155,400
Expected for age
The average 2005 SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION has 102,558 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-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.
SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION by Year
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.
About the 2005 SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION
The 2005 SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION is a city car with a 1124cc petrol engine. 41 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 98% of 2005 cars for MOT pass rates.
With an average of 102,558 miles at 21 years old, SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2005 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 2005 SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,875 (£156/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 61% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.
Buying a Used 2005 SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION
At 21 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 41 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2005 SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Coil Pack Failure
Medium riskSmaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.
Rust and Corrosion
Watch outAt 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 outRubber 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
Watch outWith an average of 103k 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 riskHigh-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.
Higher Than Average Failure Rate
Watch outWith a 61% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 2005 SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION(2005) | 61% | £955 | £165 | Grp 5-15 | £1875 |
| FORD FOCUS(2007) | 73% | £1137 | £135 | Grp 12-25 | £1827-£48 |
| MINI MINI(2007) | 73% | £1137 | £135 | Grp 12-25 | £1827-£48 |
| PEUGEOT 207(2007) | 69% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1922+£47 |
| HONDA JAZZ(2007) | 72% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1722-£153 |
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.
SMART FORTWO PASSION MHD AUTO
2013 · 999cc Petrol
SMART ROADSTER 80 AUTO(RHD)
2004 · 698cc Petrol
SMART FORTWO PASSION 71 AUTO
2008 · 999cc Petrol
FORD FOCUS
2007 · 1596cc Petrol
MINI MINI
2007 · 1598cc Petrol
PEUGEOT 207
2007 · 1360cc Petrol
Related Guides
In-depth articles relevant to the Smart Forfour black edition.
20 Most Reliable Used Cars UK 2026: Real MOT Pass Rate Rankings
10 min read
ReliabilityMost Reliable Used Cars UK 2026 (Data From 50M Real MOT Tests)
11 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Run in 2026: Real Data from 19.8 Million MOT Tests
9 min read
Car ChecksCheapest Stolen Car Check UK 2026: The Only Smart Choice
8 min read
Car ChecksCar History Check Under £10 UK: The Only Smart Pick in 2026
8 min read
Check a specific SMART FORFOUR BLACK EDITION
Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.
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
Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data