2005 Smart (mcc) Forfour 1.5L Diesel · FN55 BBX

A clean and uninterrupted MOT record defines this Smart Forfour's mechanical profile, with every recorded test from 2021 through to its most recent pass on 29 August 2025 returning no advisories or defects. There is a single failure noted on 17 January 2023, but crucially it carries no defect entries, indicating an administrative or retest scenario rather than a substantive mechanical rejection, and the vehicle subsequently passed on the same date. Across four years of testing covering nearly 80,000 miles of recorded use, the absence of any flagged brake, suspension, tyre, corrosion, or emissions issues demonstrates a consistent pattern of roadworthy condition. For a 21-year-old city car, this is an unusually tidy tester history with no chronic advisories to suggest developing wear. The recorded mileage of 79,346 miles against an annual rate of approximately 3,778 miles per year points to a low-usage ownership profile for this Forfour. There is a roughly three-year gap between the November 2021 test and the January 2023 test, which could suggest a period off the road or simply that the vehicle was not presented for annual testing during that interval, though the mileage recorded between those tests does not show dramatic jumps. Given the Smart Forfour's typical role as a short-journey urban runabout, this accumulation rate is plausible rather than suspicious, and the steady upward mileage progression between tests is consistent with regular light use. The principal mechanical consequence of such low annual mileage is the greater likelihood of age-related deterioration in rubber and plastic components rather than wear from high mileages. From a buyer's perspective, the absence of recorded advisories means there is no specific component history to investigate, so the inspection should concentrate on the age-related failure points common to first-generation Forfours. The rear suspension multi-link geometry is particularly prone to perished bushes and worn control arm links, so listen for clonking or knocking from the rear axle over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and check for uneven rear tyre wear which would indicate bush deflection. Brake components should be examined for seized caliper slide pins and corroded rear drum mechanisms, especially given the car's low mileage which can lead to corrosion setting in on infrequently used brake surfaces. On test, the Forfour's automated manual or CVT transmissions should be evaluated for smooth engagement, and the steering should be checked for the vagueness or knocking that worn tie bars and drop links can produce on these chassis. Body integrity and underfloor condition merit close attention given the vehicle's age and the Smart Forfour's known susceptibility to corrosion around the rear subframe mounting points, sills, and wheel arches, none of which has yet been flagged on an MOT but which commonly appear on cars of this vintage. Inspect the underside for any bubbling paint, surface rust, or structural corrosion around the fuel filler area and rear beam mounting brackets. Check for oil misting from the engine and any dampness from the power steering rack, both of which are typical age-related leaks. Finally, verify that all warning lamps extinguish correctly, that the cooling system holds pressure, and that the clutch or automated gearbox selects cleanly, as these are areas where symptoms often only become apparent during a thorough road test rather than a static examination.