2006 Smart Forfour 1.5L Diesel · BU06 KXM

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the maintenance trend shows a concerning progression of structural corrosion and suspension wear. The most recent test in December 2025 at 94,255 miles identified a minor exhaust leak and slight play in the nearside front wheel bearing. While the car passed, the history reveals recurring issues with the chassis and suspension components that suggest the vehicle is experiencing age-related degradation rather than high-mileage wear and tear. At 20 years old, the recorded mileage of 94,255 miles is notably low, averaging approximately 4,700 miles per year. This usage pattern is consistent across the recorded history, with only 1,711 miles covered between the November 2024 and December 2025 tests. However, low mileage on a vehicle this age often indicates it has sat for long periods, which can exacerbate the oxidation of rubber components and the development of surface rust, as evidenced by the multiple corrosion reports on the coil springs and structural members. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the vehicle's structure and suspension assembly. The November 2024 test flagged corrosion on both the nearside and offside rear upper structures, and while structural rigidity was not compromised at that time, rust in these areas requires monitoring for perforation. The suspension system also shows a history of spring failure, with a fractured nearside front coil spring causing a failure in November 2023 and corrosion across all four springs noted back to 2022. Specific attention should also be paid to the braking system and steering. The record notes a fluctuating offside rear service brake in 2023 and a total parking brake failure earlier that same month. The presence of corrosion on the track rod ends and steering linkages from 2024, combined with the newly identified wheel bearing play in 2025, indicates that the front-end components are nearing the end of their functional life and will require imminent replacement to maintain safe handling.