2005 Smart Forfour Pulse 1.3L Petrol · NJ55 VUP

The 2005 Smart Forfour Pulse presents a stable and improving maintenance trend, culminating in a clean pass on 5 October 2023 at 52,504 miles with zero defects recorded. That result is significant because it follows a test on 1 February 2023 at 51,462 miles where the tester flagged both front tyres as worn close to legal limit and worn on edge. The subsequent October pass indicates the front tyres were replaced and any associated alignment or suspension scrub issues were addressed, suggesting the previous owner corrected the problem promptly rather than allowing it to persist. The mileage pattern tells a story of very light use. Across roughly 21 years, the car has covered approximately 52,500 miles, averaging around 2,500 miles annually. The intervals between tests show modest accumulation: roughly 865 miles between February and October 2023, about 965 miles between the 2022 and 2023 tests, and approximately 1,493 miles between 2020 and 2022. There is a notable gap between the July 2020 test at 49,104 miles and the February 2022 test at 50,597 miles, covering just 1,493 miles over 20 months. This suggests the vehicle may have stood idle for extended periods, a pattern that can lead to deteriorated rubber components, stale fuel, and surface corrosion on brake discs and suspension seals despite the low overall mileage. A buyer should inspect the front suspension geometry carefully. Edge wear on the front tyres flagged in February 2023 points to possible misalignment, worn track rod ends, or deteriorated suspension bushes, and while the October pass suggests a fix was applied, confirming whether a proper four-wheel alignment was carried out is worthwhile. The front brake discs and pads deserve close examination given the car's tendency to stand idle, as surface corrosion on discs is common on low-mileage vehicles that sit for long stretches. The rear brakes and handbrake mechanism should also be checked for binding, a recurring issue on Smart Forfours of this era. The exhaust system and underbody structural integrity warrant attention. At 21 years old, even a low-mileage car can develop corrosion on the exhaust, subframe mounting points, and inner wing arches, particularly if it has spent periods stationary in damp conditions. The absence of any advisories in the most recent tests is encouraging, but a physical inspection underneath remains essential to confirm there is no hidden rust or deterioration that a stationary vehicle might conceal.