How much does a 2006 SMART FORFOUR PULSE cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,157 (£180/month), including £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2006 SMART FORFOUR PULSE?

The 2006 SMART FORFOUR PULSE has a 67% MOT pass rate based on 86 tests in 2026. This ranks 518 out of 575 cars from 2006.

Which year SMART FORFOUR PULSE is most reliable?

The 2005 SMART FORFOUR PULSE has the highest MOT pass rate at 69%. The least reliable year is 2004 at 63%.

SMART FORFOUR PULSE (2006)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2006 SMART FORFOUR PULSE?

The average mileage for a 2006 SMART FORFOUR PULSE is 104,481 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.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 86 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,157

£180/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1499cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £2157/year to run. 15 points below average.

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Petrol1499cc20 years old86 tests104k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1499cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1499cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,157

Per month£180/mo

Per week£41/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

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the SMART brand average of 80%.

At 20 years old, 67% of SMART FORFOUR PULSEs from 2006 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 86 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 104,481 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2006 cars518th of 575(top 90%)

Rank among SMART models117th of 123(top 95%)

vs national average-15%(82% avg)

vs 2006 cars average-6%(73% avg)

vs SMART average-13%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

104,481

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2006 SMART FORFOUR PULSE has 104,481 miles on the clock, 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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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2005 model with a 69% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 63%. The 2006 sits between the two at 67%.

SMART FORFOUR PULSE by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2006	67%	86	104,481 mi
2005	69%	157	100,111 mi
2004	63%	76	99,810 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FIESTA

2008 · 1388cc Petrol

£1,722/year

72%

+5%

FORD FOCUS

2008 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

+6%

VAUXHALL CORSA

2008 · 1229cc Petrol

£1,722/year

73%

+6%

BMW 3 SERIES

2007 · 1796cc Petrol

£1,867/year

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About the 2006 SMART FORFOUR PULSE

The 2006 SMART FORFOUR PULSE is a small family car with a 1499cc petrol engine. 86 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 90% of 2006 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 104,481 miles at 20 years old, SMART FORFOUR PULSE owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2006 SMART FORFOUR PULSE Fuel Costs

The 1499cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2006 SMART FORFOUR PULSE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,157 (£180/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 67% 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 2006 SMART FORFOUR PULSE

At 20 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2005 model has the highest pass rate at 69%. Note: with only 86 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2006 SMART FORFOUR PULSE's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 104k 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 67% 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 2006 SMART FORFOUR PULSE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
SMART FORFOUR PULSE(2006)	67%	£1137	£265	Grp 12-25	£2157
FORD FIESTA(2008)	72%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£435
FORD FOCUS(2008)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£330
VAUXHALL CORSA(2008)	73%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£435
BMW 3 SERIES(2007)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£290

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.