Smart (MCC) Forfour (2004)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 401 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,353

£196/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£200

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1332cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £2,353/year to run. 15 points below average.

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Petrol1332cc22 years old401 tests107k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1332cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,353

Per month£196/mo

Per week£45/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

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Smart (MCC) brand average of 78%.

67% of MOT tests on Smart (MCC) Forfours from 2004 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 20 years old. That's based on 401 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 106,805 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 models389th of 470(bottom 18%)

Rank among Smart (MCC) models81st of 83(bottom 4%)

vs average of all models-15%(82% avg)

vs 2004 models average-5%(72% avg)

vs Smart (MCC) average-11%(78% avg)

Mileage Analysis

106,805

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2004 Smart (MCC) Forfour had 106,805 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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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 88%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 67%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Smart (MCC) Forfour by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2019	88%	3,224	26,615 mi
2018	88%	6,590	32,534 mi
2017	85%	8,284	39,590 mi
2016	82%	9,221	45,513 mi
2015	79%	9,848	52,006 mi
2007	70%	114	91,965 mi
2006	72%	831	99,878 mi
2005	74%	1,093	99,187 mi
2004	67%	401	106,805 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Focus

2006 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

73%

+6%

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+4%

BMW 3 Series

2006 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,361/year

80%

+13%

Honda Jazz

2006 · 1339cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+4%

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About the 2004 Smart (MCC) Forfour

The 2004 Smart (MCC) Forfour is a small family car. Our records list a 1332cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 401 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 18% of 2004 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 106,805 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Smart (MCC) Forfour owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 Smart (MCC) Forfour Fuel Costs

The 1332cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 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 (MCC) Forfour?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,353 (£196/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 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 (MCC) Forfour Reliability Trend

Newer Smart (MCC) Forfours pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 14 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2004 Smart (MCC) Forfour

At 22 years old, the Smart (MCC) Forfour 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

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.

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 107k 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 2004 Smart (MCC) Forfour 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 (MCC) Forfour(2004)	67%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,353
Ford Focus(2006)	73%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£125
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£125
BMW 3 Series(2006)	80%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,361+£8
Honda Jazz(2006)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£200

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 (MCC) Forfour

Is the 2004 Smart (MCC) Forfour reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 67% of MOT tests on 2004 Smart (MCC) Forfours ended in a pass, from 401 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 15 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2004 Smart (MCC) Forfour cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,353 a year (£196 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Smart (MCC) Forfour?

67% of 401 MOT tests on the 2004 Smart (MCC) Forfour ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 389th of 470 models first registered in 2004 (bottom 18%).

Which year Smart (MCC) Forfour has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 Smart (MCC) Forfour has the highest MOT pass rate at 88% and the 2004 the lowest at 67%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2004 Smart (MCC) Forfour?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2004 Smart (MCC) Forfour is 106,805 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.