CarCostCheck

SMART (MCC) FORFOUR (2004)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 401 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,087

£174/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1332cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £2087/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

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1332cc

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,087
Per month£174/mo
Per week£40/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 (MCC) brand average of 78%.

At 22 years old, 67% of SMART (MCC) FORFOURs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 401 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 106,805 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars407th of 491(top 83%)
Rank among SMART (MCC) models81th of 83(top 98%)
vs national average-15%(82% avg)
vs 2004 cars average-5%(72% avg)
vs SMART (MCC) average-11%(78% avg)

Mileage Analysis

106,805

Average miles

vs

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 SMART (MCC) FORFOUR has 106,805 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.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2018 model with a 88% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 67%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

SMART (MCC) FORFOUR by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201988%3,22426,615 mi
201888%6,59032,534 mi
201785%8,28439,590 mi
201682%9,22145,513 mi
201579%9,84852,006 mi
200770%11491,965 mi
200672%83199,878 mi
200574%1,09399,187 mi
200467%401106,805 mi

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About the 2004 SMART (MCC) FORFOUR

The 2004 SMART (MCC) FORFOUR is a small family car with a 1332cc petrol engine. 401 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 83% of 2004 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 106,805 miles at 22 years old, 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 £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2004 SMART (MCC) FORFOUR?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,087 174/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 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 show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 14 percentage points.

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

Based on the 2004 SMART (MCC) FORFOUR'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 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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SMART (MCC) FORFOUR(2004)67%£1137£195Grp 8-20£2087
FORD FOCUS(2006)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£260
MINI MINI(2005)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£260
BMW 3 SERIES(2006)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£220
HONDA JAZZ(2006)71%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£365

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 (mcc) Models

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

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Smart (mcc) Forfour.

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