2018 Smart Forfour 0.9L Petrol · RO68 CVA

The 2018 Smart Forfour presents a generally stable maintenance profile, passing its most recent MOT on 9 October 2025 at 34,435 miles with only minor advisories. The tester flagged an offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit with a bald inner tread edge, slight play in the offside front lower suspension arm ball joint, and a slightly distorted nearside front road wheel. These are not failures, but they indicate deferred minor wear rather than meticulous preventative upkeep. The trend over the last three years is broadly stable, with no escalating mechanical failures or corrosion concerns, though the recurrence of tyre and wheel issues suggests consumable replacements have been reactive rather than proactive. At roughly 4,304 miles per year, this is a low-mileage vehicle for its age. The mileage progression tells a clear story: it stood almost entirely dormant between the September 2023 test at 20,835 miles and the September 2024 test at 29,383 miles, a jump of 8,548 miles in a single year after years of very light use. That sudden increase could indicate a change of ownership or a shift to regular commuting. The near-zero mileage gain between September 2024 and October 2025, just 5,052 miles in over a year, suggests the car has returned to light use or long periods of standing. Extended sitting can cause flat-spotted tyres, sticking brake calipers, and dried-out rubber bushes, all of which warrant close inspection. Buyers should pay particular attention to the front suspension and wheel condition. The offside front lower suspension arm ball joint had slight play at the most recent test, and this component will deteriorate faster if left unaddressed. A distorted nearside front wheel appeared in both the September 2023 and October 2025 records, raising the question of whether it was ever replaced or simply re-tested with the same damage. Check for kerb rash, cracked rims, and uneven tyre wear across all four corners. The repeated advisories for inner-edge tyre wear, particularly on the front axle, point to possible tracking misalignment or worn suspension bushes that have not been corrected. The undertrays fitted at the September 2022 test obscured the underside from inspection, so there is no recent visual record of structural rust, exhaust condition, or subframe integrity. A physical inspection underneath is essential, especially given the car's age and the possibility of prolonged standing. Brake components, flexible hoses, and the exhaust system should be examined for corrosion and perishing. While no emissions or braking failures have been recorded, the combination of low mileage, intermittent use, and minor unresolved advisories means this car needs a thorough hands-on check before purchase rather than reliance on the clean recent pass.