2022 Smart EQ Forfour Premium Electricity · SM22 AOB

A clear pattern of front brake wear emerges from this Smart EQ Forfour's MOT record, with the most recent test on 11 May 2026 passing but flagging four advisories concentrated on the front axle braking and suspension hardware. The previous test on 7 May 2025 had already noted nearside front inner brake pad wear, and the follow-up inspection now records worn front discs (both excessively thinned material and pitted or scored inner faces), fluctuating service brake performance, and slight play in the nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint. Although nothing warranted a failure, the recurrence and clustering of front-end advisories within a single twelve-month period suggest that the braking system and front suspension components are approaching the point where proactive attention will be required rather than continued monitoring. Against an age of approximately four years, the recorded 39,936 miles equates to an annual accumulation of just under 10,000 miles, which sits close to the typical usage band for a small electric city car of this type. There are no extended lay-up gaps or sudden mileage jumps evident across the two recorded tests, indicating reasonably steady operation and avoiding the concerns that long periods of standing can introduce for an EV, such as 12V auxiliary battery degradation or seized brake components from lack of use. The mileage is consistent with the urban and short-trip nature most EQ Forfours see, meaning wear should broadly track the components actually exercised: light on drivetrain internals but proportionately heavier on the friction braking system because regenerative blending is less aggressive at low speeds. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is a careful on-the-road evaluation of the front brake system. The advisories point to discs that are worn and pitted on the inner face, so under medium to firm pedal pressure expect to feel any developing judder through the brake pedal or steering wheel, particularly during the final phase of stopping from higher speeds. Listen for any grinding or scraping that would confirm the discs have worn beyond their limit, and verify that the car pulls up squarely without veering to one side, which would indicate uneven caliper action or pad transfer issues consistent with the fluctuating service brake advisory. Inspect the nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint physically by rocking the front wheel top to bottom at the front and pushing laterally to detect the slight play already flagged, and listen for clonks or rattles transmitted through the front end over uneven roads or speed humps. Beyond the flagged components, a test drive should include a low-speed crawl over rougher surfaces to expose any worn suspension bushes or top mount deterioration, and a steady-state run at dual carriageway speed to confirm straight-line stability without steering pull, which can sometimes accompany uneven front disc wear. Given the EV architecture, also confirm that the regenerative braking is functioning normally and that the friction brakes are not being relied upon exclusively, as this can accelerate the disc corrosion already noted on the inner face. With the pads previously flagged as wearing thin and the discs now showing measurable wear, budgeting for a front brake disc and pad replacement within the next service interval is a realistic expectation rather than a speculative concern.