2017 Smart Forfour 1.0L Petrol · AJ17 HMC

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, though the maintenance trend shows a reactive pattern rather than preventative care. The most recent test in April 2026 at 38,625 miles identified an advisory for the offside front suspension arm ball joint due to slight play. While the car passed, the emergence of this fault indicates that the suspension components are beginning to show signs of age-related wear despite the relatively low overall mileage. The mileage profile is notably low for a nine-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 4,300 miles per year. There is a significant gap in records between May 2023 at 27,057 miles and April 2024 at 33,979 miles, where the car covered over 6,000 miles in a single year. Low annual usage often leads to secondary issues such as corrosion on brake components and the degradation of rubber components, which aligns with the surface-related brake failures seen in the 2025 test. A buyer should focus specifically on the front braking system. The vehicle failed in May 2025 at 36,493 miles due to thin pads and pitted, scored discs on both front sides. While these were replaced to achieve the subsequent pass, the recurring nature of thinning pads in 2024 suggests the owner only addresses components upon failure. The offside front ball joint now requires a close physical inspection to ensure the play has not progressed beyond a minor advisory, as this will affect steering precision and cause tyre wear.