2006 Smart Forfour Pulse — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 291 MOT tests, the 2006 Smart Forfour Pulse recorded a 73.2% pass rate. 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 22.3% of tests against 12.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and individual direction indicators — headlamp aim alone was recorded 35 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 36.1% versus 21.3%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 30.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 21.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 31.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.3% | 65 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.7% | 37 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.9% | 20 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.5% | 16 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.1% | 12 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 11 |
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 | 35 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 28 |
| 3 | Individual direction indicators | 19 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 18 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 17 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 17 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 30.9% | 90 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.5% | 83 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 27.8% | 81 |
| 4 | Tyres | 26.5% | 77 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.1% | 38 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.6% | 22 |
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 | 47 | 21.3% |
| 60-90k | 95 | 27.4% |
| 90-120k | 101 | 24.8% |
| 120-150k | 36 | 36.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 78 | 21.8% |
| 2022 | 68 | 29.4% |
| 2023 | 62 | 30.6% |
| 2024 | 45 | 22.2% |
| 2025 | 38 | 31.6% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Forfour Pulse
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 22.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (22.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.7% 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 (6.9% 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 Pulses pass their MOT?
73.2% of the 291 2006 Smart Forfour Pulse MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Smart Forfour Pulse?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.3% of tests, followed by brakes (12.7%).
Does the 2006 Forfour Pulse get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.3% in the 30-60k band to 36.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 291 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.