Smart Forfour Passion Semi Auto (2006)

112 real MOT outcomes analysed • 73.2% first-time pass rate

2006 Smart Forfour Passion Semi Auto

CarHunch analysed 112 real MOT records for the 2006 Smart Forfour Passion Semi Auto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 2006 Smart ForFour Passion Semi-Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 73.2%, which sits 6.8 points below the UK average of 80%—a meaningful gap that suggests more mechanical fragility than typical. More concerning, over a third of these cars (34.8%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is well above acceptable levels and a genuine buyer safety flag.

At an average mileage of 59,456 for an 18-year-old car, these vehicles are running closer to expectations for their age, but the real trouble shows in the failure data: each car averages 3.91 actual failures plus 18.2 advisories per test, indicating chronic issues with wear items and deteriorating systems. Before committing to one, request the full MOT history to see which components fail repeatedly—gearbox problems and suspension wear are common on this model—and budget for immediate remedial work rather than expecting a clean bill of health.

Below average reliability 6.8% below UK average
73.2%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
56,194
typical mileage
44,831–72,776 middle half
34.8%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
3.91
avg MOT failures per car
over 16 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2006 Smart Forfour Passion Semi Auto

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • ⚠️ 34.8% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Smart Forfour Passion Semi Auto

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (99%) 111 73.2% 3.93
Other (1%) 1 66.7% 2

Mileage Distribution

Most 2006 Smart Forfour Passion Semi Auto vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

44,831
low mileage
56,194
typical
72,776
high mileage

Half of all 2006 Smart Forfour Passion Semi Auto vehicles fall between 44,831 and 72,776 miles.

2006 Smart Forfour Passion Semi Auto — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 36 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (37% of peak).

97 36 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

16
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
3.91
Avg failures per vehicle
18.2
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Smart Forfour Passion Semi Auto?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Smart Forfour Passion Semi Auto:

2004 2005