Smart Eq Forfour MOT pass rate & common failures
1,100 MOT tests on the Smart Eq Forfour (2020–2022) give it a 91.2% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (8.5% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Its most common failure areas are visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (5.6%) and tyres (5.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and washers — wipers alone was recorded 56 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 16.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
By model year
Every Eq Forfour model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 712 | 90.3% | 9.7% | Tyres |
| 2022 | 387 | 92.8% | 7.2% | Visibility |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 5.6% | 62 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.5% | 60 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 28 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.7% | 8 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.6% | 7 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.2% | 2 |
| 7 | Other defects | 0.2% | 2 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.1% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 56 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 23 |
| 3 | Washers | 20 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 5 |
| 5 | Size/type | 5 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 4 |
| 7 | Service brake performance | 4 |
| 8 | Stop lamp | 4 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 16.3% | 179 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.8% | 97 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.1% | 45 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.6% | 40 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.0% | 11 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.3% | 3 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,038 | 8.3% |
| 30-60k | 57 | 14.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 360 | 7.8% |
| 2025 | 734 | 9.3% |
What to check before buying a Smart Eq Forfour
- Visibility (5.6% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (5.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (2.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Smart Eq Forfour?
91.2% of the 1,100 Smart Eq Forfour MOT tests in this dataset passed, an 8.8% fail rate, across model years 2020–2022.
What does the Smart Eq Forfour most often fail its MOT on?
Visibility, recorded in 5.6% of tests, then tyres (5.5%).
Methodology & source. Based on 1,100 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.