CarCostCheck

SMART FORFOUR PULSE (2005)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 157 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,875

£156/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 5-15

1124cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £1875/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol1124cc21 years old157 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

£700
Total per year£1,875
Per month£156/mo
Per week£36/wk

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

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Reliability Verdict

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the SMART brand average of 80%.

At 21 years old, 69% of SMART FORFOUR PULSEs from 2005 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 157 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 100,111 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2005 cars405th of 526(top 77%)
Rank among SMART models113th of 123(top 92%)
vs national average-13%(82% avg)
vs 2005 cars average-3%(72% avg)
vs SMART average-11%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

100,111

Average miles

vs

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2005 SMART FORFOUR PULSE has 100,111 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.

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SMART FORFOUR PULSE by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200667%86104,481 mi
200569%157100,111 mi
200463%7699,810 mi

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About the 2005 SMART FORFOUR PULSE

The 2005 SMART FORFOUR PULSE is a city car with a 1124cc petrol engine. 157 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 77% of 2005 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 100,111 miles at 21 years old, SMART FORFOUR PULSE owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2005 SMART FORFOUR PULSE 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 PULSE?

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 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

SMART FORFOUR PULSE Reliability Trend

Newer SMART FORFOUR PULSEs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 5 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2005 SMART FORFOUR PULSE

At 21 years old, the SMART FORFOUR PULSE 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2005 SMART FORFOUR PULSE'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

Watch out

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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 2005 SMART FORFOUR PULSE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SMART FORFOUR PULSE(2005)69%£955£165Grp 5-15£1875
FORD FOCUS(2007)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£48
MINI MINI(2007)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£48
PEUGEOT 207(2007)69%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1922+£47
HONDA JAZZ(2007)72%£1137£30Grp 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.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Smart Forfour pulse.

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