2006 Smart Forfour Passion — MOT failures & pass rate
1,324 MOT tests on the 2006 Smart Forfour Passion are in this dataset, and 73.3% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.8% of tests against 10.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 129 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 28.2% versus 18.6%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 31.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 25.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.8% | 262 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.1% | 134 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.5% | 112 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.0% | 80 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.7% | 75 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.4% | 71 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 129 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 120 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 79 |
| 4 | Wipers | 63 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 58 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 47 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 31.6% | 418 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.3% | 375 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.1% | 346 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 23.0% | 305 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.1% | 174 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 106 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 183 | 18.6% |
| 60-90k | 449 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 417 | 28.8% |
| 120-150k | 187 | 29.9% |
| 150k+ | 71 | 28.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 317 | 25.2% |
| 2022 | 314 | 28.3% |
| 2023 | 273 | 26.7% |
| 2024 | 235 | 26.0% |
| 2025 | 185 | 27.6% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Forfour Passion
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (8.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2006 Smart Forfour Passions pass their MOT?
73.3% of the 1,324 2006 Smart Forfour Passion MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Smart Forfour Passion?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.8% of tests, followed by brakes (10.1%).
Does the 2006 Forfour Passion get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.6% in the 30-60k band to 28.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,324 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.