Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2005 Smart Forfour Pulse?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2005 Smart Forfour Pulse?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2005 Smart Forfour Pulse?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2005 Smart Forfour Pulse vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

37% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2005 Smart Forfour Pulse reliable?

Based on MOT data from 407 vehicles, the 2005 Smart Forfour Pulse has a first-time MOT pass rate of 72%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2005 Smart Forfour Pulse?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Smart Forfour Pulse (2005)

407 real MOT outcomes analysed • 72% first-time pass rate

2005 Smart Forfour Pulse

CarHunch analysed 407 real MOT records for the 2005 Smart Forfour Pulse. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 407 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2005 Smart Forfour Pulse is a genuinely weak performer at MOT, with a first-time pass rate of 69.7% versus the UK average of 80%—that's a significant red flag. More concerning, 37.1% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is nearly double the typical level and suggests serious structural or safety issues in the population.

At nearly 70,000 miles median, these vehicles show typical wear for their age, but they're racking up an average of 4.81 failures and 18.8 advisories per test, indicating persistent mechanical and trim problems rather than one-off faults. If you're seriously considering one, budget for repairs before purchase and get a pre-buy inspection focused on suspension, brakes, and bodywork integrity.

The 2005 Smart Forfour Pulse has a below-average first-time pass rate (72% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

72%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

37.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.81

Over 16.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

70k

Middle half: 56k–83k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 18.8 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 407 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 407 Smart Forfour Pulse cars.

Before you buy a 2005 Smart Forfour Pulse

Based on MOT data from 407 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 37.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (98%)	397	71.6%	4.9

Colour Breakdown

Based on 749 Smart Forfour Pulse vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 75.3%

564

Silver 17.6%

132

Grey 6.1%

Blue 0.9%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 Smart Forfour Pulse vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

69,863

typical

56,304

low mileage

82,962

high mileage

Half of all 2005 Smart Forfour Pulse vehicles fall between 56,304 and 82,962 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 56,304 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 56,304–82,962 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2005 Smart Forfour Pulses sit.

⚠ Over 111,998 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2005 Smart Forfour Pulse — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 15% of 2005 Smart Forfour Pulses are still active.

Numbers are declining — 54 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (15% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

16.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.81

Avg failures per vehicle

18.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Smart Forfour Pulse: All Forfour Pulse years → Which year to buy? →

2004 2006

Or browse all models: Smart →

Compare with another model

See how the 2005 Smart Forfour Pulse stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on