2006 Smart City Passion 61 Auto 0.7L Petrol · OV06 XPC

A 2006 Smart City Passion with a completely clean MOT history across the last four testing cycles presents a notably reassuring roadworthiness profile for a vehicle of its age, particularly given the structural and corrosion concerns that often affect small city cars of this era. The most recent assessment on 14 April 2025 returned a pass with no advisories or defects recorded, continuing an unbroken run of clean tests that stretches back to 2022. The single failure recorded in April 2023 was listed without any defect details, suggesting it was likely a minor administrative or easily rectified issue rather than a substantive mechanical problem, and the vehicle passed a retest just two days later. The complete absence of advisory items across all recorded tests is unusual for a twenty-year-old car and indicates that no examiner has flagged any component as approaching the legal or safety limits during this period. The recorded mileage of 75,835 miles equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 3,800 miles per year, which is substantially below average for a vehicle of this age. This low rate of use is consistent with typical Smart City ownership patterns, where these cars often serve as second vehicles for short urban journeys rather than primary transport. Mechanically, this profile brings its own considerations: low annual mileage can allow certain consumables to degrade through age rather than use, particularly rubber components, seals, and brake system parts that can deteriorate with infrequent exercise. The mileage progression between tests appears consistent and gradual, with no gaps in testing that would suggest extended periods off the road. For a prospective buyer, the absence of recorded advisories means there is no specific component history to investigate, but the age and low-use profile of the car warrant particular attention to areas commonly affected on Smart City models. On a test drive, listen carefully for clonks or knocking from the front suspension over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, as the McPherson strut assemblies and lower wishbone bushes can deteriorate with age regardless of mileage. Pay close attention to the rear axle, which on these models is a de Dion design and can develop play in its mounting points; listen for any knocking when traversing rougher tarmac and check for uneven rear tyre wear which often indicates worn suspension geometry. Brake feel should be assessed carefully, with attention to any judder through the steering wheel under firm application, which could suggest front disc warping, and any grinding or scraping noises that might indicate worn pads despite no advisories having been recorded. The automated manual transmission, a known weak point on early Smart City models, should be evaluated by checking for smooth and timely gear changes, with particular vigilance for hesitation, clonks, or complete refusal to engage gears when cold. Finally, inspect the underside and wheel arches thoroughly for corrosion, paying particular attention to the subframe, floor pans, and suspension mounting points, as the Smart City Passion's underbody protection is minimal and these areas are susceptible to rust despite the clean MOT record not yet flagging any structural concerns.