2018 Smart (mcc) Fortwo 0.9L Petrol · AD07 ABD

A recurring pair of front-tyre advisories defines the mechanical picture of this 2018 Smart Fortwo, with both the nearside and offside front tyres flagged for slight cracking or perishing at the 2025 and 2026 MOT tests, having passed without any recorded defects in the four preceding examinations. All six recorded tests since 2021 resulted in a pass, so there are no failure points, major items, or structural advisories to reconcile, and the pattern is one of stable roadworthiness with a single emerging wear theme rather than systemic decline. The persistence of the same advisory across two consecutive years on identical components indicates that the cracking is progressing rather than resolving, which is a relevant consideration for a prospective buyer even though the tyres remained within legal limits on both occasions. Against an age of approximately eight years, the recorded odometer reading of 15,736 miles equates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 1,967 miles per year, a figure substantially below what would be expected for an urban-focussed city car of this vintage. The mileage progression between tests is consistent with limited use and there are no unexplained gaps in the testing record, although the absence of any recorded mileage between 2021 and 2022 suggests the vehicle may have covered very little distance in that interval. Mechanically, this low usage pattern tends to preserve major drivetrain and brake components but raises the familiar risks associated with vehicles that spend long periods stationary, including brake disc corrosion, sticking calipers, dried rubber seals, and underbody surface oxidation, none of which have yet manifested as advisories. Given that the only recorded defects concern the front tyres, the buyer should focus their inspection on confirming the current condition of the 165/65/15 fitments, looking closely at sidewall flex cracks, tread depth across the full width, and any uneven shoulder wear that might point to geometry misalignment. The fact that the cracking was first noted in 2025 and was still flagged in 2026 suggests the tyres are ageing out and replacement should be budgeted, ideally with both fronts changed in pairs to maintain even grip on a car whose handling balance is highly sensitive to the rear axle. During a test drive, attention should be paid to any pulling under braking, vibration through the steering column, or a grinding or scraping noise from the front corners which could indicate corrosion on the brake discs or seized caliper slides that low-mileage Smart Fortwo examples are prone to. A useful additional check on the test drive is to listen for clonks or rattles from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, as low annual mileage does not always prevent ball joint and anti-roll bar bush deterioration on these vehicles, particularly given the relatively short wheelbase that transmits impacts directly into the linkages. The steering should self-centre crisply without kickback through the wheel, and the rear-mounted components, although untested in the MOT record, should be examined for any signs of fluid seepage or corrosion when the vehicle is viewed from underneath. With no advisories on brakes, suspension, exhaust, or structure across six tests and only the tyre condition to address, the recorded history offers reassurance on the tested items, but the low-mileage profile still justifies the closer physical inspection outlined above before purchase.