Smart Forfour Passion (2004)
2004 Smart Forfour Passion
CarHunch analysed 180 real MOT records for the 2004 Smart Forfour Passion. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2004 SMART FORFOUR PASSION is a genuine reliability concern—its 70.7% first-time pass rate sits 9.3 points below the UK average, and a striking 40% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above acceptable levels for a buyer considering one. This petrol model struggles with structural and safety issues that go beyond normal wear.
These cars are sitting around 67,000 miles on average for their age, which is reasonable mileage, but the 4.9 failures per vehicle and nearly 20 advisories tell a worrying story of accumulated problems. If you're viewing a 2004 FORFOUR, get a thorough pre-purchase inspection focused on structural integrity, suspension, and braking components—don't rely on its MOT history alone.
What to check before buying a 2004 Smart Forfour Passion
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.
- ⚠️ 40% 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
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 (97%) | 175 | 70.6% | 5.01 |
| Other (3%) | 5 | 74.3% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 Smart Forfour Passion 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.
Half of all 2004 Smart Forfour Passion vehicles fall between 51,749 and 81,853 miles.
2004 Smart Forfour Passion — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 28 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (19% of peak).
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
Found a specific Smart Forfour Passion?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.