2018 Smart (mcc) Forfour 0.9L Petrol · PT03 PAT

A pattern of emerging front-end wear and suspension failure characterizes the recent history of this vehicle, contrasting with an initially clean record. While the vehicle passed its latest inspection on 2025-12-06, this followed a failure on 2025-12-03 necessitated by a fractured nearside front coil spring. The current status remains marked by advisories for a nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint with slight play and an offside front tyre worn on the inner edge, indicating a downward trend in the condition of the front running gear. The recorded mileage of 14,371 miles is exceptionally low for an eight-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 1,796 miles per year. Such a low rate of accumulation suggests the vehicle has spent significant periods stationary or has been used for very short journeys. Mechanically, this usage profile often manifests as surface corrosion on brake components and the premature degradation of rubber bushings and suspension elements due to lack of regular articulation, which is reflected in the recent MOT advisories. Attention must be paid to the front suspension and steering geometry. The reported play in the nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint and the previous coil spring failure suggest the front end requires close scrutiny. During a test drive, listen for knocking or clunking sounds when traversing uneven surfaces or when turning the steering wheel at low speeds. The recurring advisory regarding inner edge wear on the offside front tyre suggests a potential tracking or alignment issue that should be verified. The braking system shows evidence of deterioration, specifically the reports of pitted and scored front brake discs and a fluctuating offside front service brake. A prospective buyer should feel for any judder through the brake pedal during deceleration or any pulling to one side under braking. Given the history of pitted discs, the smoothness of the braking action is a critical point of evaluation to determine if the discs require replacement.