2005 Smart Forfour Passion 1.5L Petrol · MX55 MZL

A mixed record of structural and mechanical distress defines the test history of this Smart Forfour, highlighted by two successive failures in June and August of 2022 before a clean pass was secured on 2023-08-30. The earlier failures exposed severe safety items, including dual rear tyres with exposed cords classified as dangerous defects, alongside exhaust gas leaks, an ineffective fuel cap, an excessively worn offside front anti-roll bar ball joint, and a lambda reading outside permitted emission limits. While the most recent test ended in a pass without recorded defects, the historical recurrence of exhaust blow, anti-roll bar wear, and tyre degradation indicates that previous test clearances required significant remedial intervention rather than reflecting permanent mechanical stability. Accumulating 151,869 miles over its twenty-one years on the road translates to an average of roughly 7,232 miles per annum, representing a standard annual mileage profile for this vehicle class. This steady accumulation suggests the car has been in regular, continuous use throughout its lifespan rather than enduring extended periods of static storage or punishing high-mileage fleet duties. Mechanically, this consistent usage pattern typically means that core components like the engine and transmission have experienced steady thermal cycles, though it places high cumulative demands on peripheral systems such as suspension linkages, exhaust hangers, and braking infrastructure, all of which have required attention in recent MOT tests. When inspecting the vehicle on a test drive, prospective buyers must pay close attention to the front suspension and steering assembly, specifically checking for knocks, clunks, or vagueness when negotiating potholes or sharp turns, given the history of anti-roll bar linkage play and ball joint wear. Listen carefully for any harsh exhaust resonance or ticking sounds from underneath the chassis that would indicate a returning blow from the rear exhaust joints or silencer. Additionally, inspect the condition of all four road wheels for the slight distortion previously noted on the nearside rear, and examine the tyres for outer-edge cracking or perishing while feeling for any vibrations through the steering wheel or brake pedal at cruising speeds.