2004 Smart City Cabriolet 0.7L Petrol · GP04 RZY

The vehicle remains in a roadworthy condition but the maintenance history reveals a persistent trend of front-end suspension wear. The most recent test in July 2024 at 80,163 miles passed despite advisories for pitting on both front brake discs and play in both anti-roll bar linkage ball joints. This follows a failure in July 2023 for an excessively worn nearside lower suspension arm ball joint and an insecure track rod end cover. While the faults are being addressed, the recurring nature of suspension component play suggests gradual degradation. At 22 years old, the recorded mileage of 80,163 miles is remarkably low, averaging approximately 3,644 miles per year. The data shows very infrequent use in recent years, with only 248 miles covered between the August 2023 and July 2024 tests. This low-mileage pattern often leads to age-related failure of rubber components rather than mechanical fatigue, which is evidenced by the July 2022 advisory for a perishing offside front tyre and the ongoing corrosion on discs despite minimal use. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the front suspension geometry to ensure the noted ball joints and anti-roll links have been replaced rather than merely monitored. The consistent pitting on the front brake discs indicates the vehicle likely sits for long periods, which can lead to caliper sticking or uneven braking performance. Physical inspection of the offside front wheel bearing noted in 2022 is also required to ensure the previously slight play has not progressed into a mechanical failure.