SMART FORTWO CABRIOLET2005 · 0.7L PETROL

The vehicle remains technically roadworthy but the maintenance history reveals a worsening trend regarding structural corrosion and mechanical wear. While the most recent test in April 2025 at 76,632 miles passed, it highlighted new defects including play in the steering rack inner joints and a corroded offside front brake pipe. These issues follow recurring advisories from 2024 and 2023, indicating that the vehicle's steering and braking systems are entering a period of accelerated degradation despite the low mileage. The mileage profile is notably low for a 21-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 3,650 miles per year. There is a significant gap in data and potential activity between February 2021 and April 2023, during which the car covered only 1,705 miles over over two years. This low usage often correlates with the vehicle sitting for extended periods, which explains the persistent pitting on the brake discs and the corrosion on the Macpherson struts and brake pipes noted across the 2023 and 2024 tests. A prospective buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the chassis integrity and suspension mounting points. The record consistently flags corrosion on the front struts and rear suspension mounting areas, which requires close monitoring for structural thinning. Specific attention needs to be paid to the steering rack, as the tester noted free play from 2021 through to inner joint play in 2025. Additionally, the corroded brake pipes and the minor exhaust leak reported in 2025 suggest that preventative maintenance has not been prioritized to prevent future failure.