Smart (MCC) Forfour (2017)
Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 8,284 MOT tests in 2024.
Annual Cost
£1,780
£148/month
MOT Pass Rate
85%
Good
Road Tax
£200
Standard rate/year
Est. Insurance
Grp 1-8
999cc Petrol
Solid Option
85% pass rate, £1,780/year to run. Close to the average across all models.
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Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Standard rate (from April 2017)
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. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).
Reliability Verdict
Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Smart (MCC) brand average of 78%.
85% of MOT tests on Smart (MCC) Forfours from 2017 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 7 years old. That's based on 8,284 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 39,590 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
39,590
Average miles
51,800
Expected for age
The average 2017 Smart (MCC) Forfour had 39,590 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 51,800 miles for a 7-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%. The 2017 scores 85%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.
Smart (MCC) Forfour by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
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About the 2017 Smart (MCC) Forfour
The 2017 Smart (MCC) Forfour is a city car. Our records list a 999cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 8,284 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2017, the average MOT pass rate is 87%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.
With an average of 39,590 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Smart (MCC) Forfour owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2017 Smart (MCC) Forfour Fuel Costs
The modest 999cc 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 £1,175 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 2017 Smart (MCC) Forfour?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,780 (£148/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 85% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.
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 2017 Smart (MCC) Forfour
At 9 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2018 model has the highest pass rate at 88%. With 8,284 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.
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.
Coil Pack Failure
Medium riskSmaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.
Suspension Wear
Medium riskShock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.
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 2017 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(2017) | 85% | £1,175 | £200 | Grp 1-8 | £1,780 |
| Ford Fiesta(2015) | 81% | £1,175 | £20 | Grp 1-8 | £1,600-£180 |
| Vauxhall Corsa(2015) | 78% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 8-20 | £2,153+£373 |
| Nissan Qashqai(2017) | 86% | £1,175 | £200 | Grp 5-15 | £1,780same |
| Volkswagen Polo(2015) | 82% | £1,175 | £170 | Grp 5-15 | £1,750-£30 |
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 2017 Smart (MCC) Forfour
Is the 2017 Smart (MCC) Forfour reliable?
Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 85% of MOT tests on 2017 Smart (MCC) Forfours ended in a pass, from 8,284 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 3 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.
How much does a 2017 Smart (MCC) Forfour cost to run?
Our estimate is £1,780 a year (£148 a month): £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.
What is the MOT pass rate for a 2017 Smart (MCC) Forfour?
85% of 8,284 MOT tests on the 2017 Smart (MCC) Forfour ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 389th of 540 models first registered in 2017 (bottom half).
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 2017 Smart (MCC) Forfour?
The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2017 Smart (MCC) Forfour is 39,590 miles, which is below the expected 51,800 miles for a 7-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
Related Smart (MCC) Models
Explore other Smart (MCC) cars or similar models in the same category.
Smart (MCC) Fortwo
2016 · 898cc Petrol
Smart (MCC) Fortwo Coupe
2009 · 698cc Petrol
Smart (MCC) City Coupe
2003 · 599cc Petrol
Ford Fiesta
2015 · 998cc Petrol
Vauxhall Corsa
2015 · 1398cc Petrol
Nissan Qashqai
2017 · 1200cc Petrol
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