Smart (mcc) Forfour car check
Find out if a Forfour has outstanding finance, has been written off or stolen, how many owners it’s had, and which known problems apply to the generation you’re looking at.
Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. Results in under a minute.
- MOT failure rate
- 20.8%66k tests
- Known problems
- 5across W454 to W453
- Full report
- £7.49one-off, no subscription
Which Forfour are you looking at?
Each Forfour generation has its own weak spots. Pick the one you’re viewing to see what to check.
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Emissions system failure
Engine damage risk W453The 0.9L turbocharged and 1.0L naturally aspirated engines in W453 ForFour show exceptionally high MOT failure rates for emissions-related defects. The turbo variant appears particularly affected, likely due to higher combustion temperatures and boost system complexity affecting sensor operation and exhaust gas recirculation.
What to check: Check for any engine management warning lights on the dashboard. Look under the car for black soot deposits around the exhaust tailpipe indicating rich running. Ask the seller when the car last passed an MOT emissions test and request the advisory notes from recent tests.
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Suspension joint wear
Wear item W454First-generation ForFour models show MOT failure rates nearly 10 times the fleet average for suspension component wear, particularly affecting ball joint dust covers and suspension bushes. The shared platform with Mitsubishi Colt means parts wear patterns are similar. Worn suspension components affect handling safety and will cause MOT failure.
What to check: Visually inspect under the front of the car for split or perished rubber dust covers around ball joints and track rod ends. Look for oil or grease leakage from suspension components indicating seal failure. Check tyre wear patterns - uneven wear suggests suspension alignment issues.
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Wheel bearing failure
Wear item W454MOT data shows first-generation ForFour models fail for wheel bearing roughness at over 12 times the fleet average. The Mitsubishi-sourced front wheel bearing assemblies appear prone to premature wear, particularly on higher mileage examples. Failed bearings create safety risks and will cause MOT failure.
What to check: Jack up each front wheel and spin by hand - rough or grinding sensation indicates bearing wear. Check for excessive play by grasping the wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock positions and attempting to rock it. Listen for grinding or rumbling noises when spinning the wheel.
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Steering rack gaiter deterioration
Wear item W454MOT data shows W454 ForFour models fail at nearly 13 times the fleet average for steering rack gaiter and ball joint dust cover deterioration. These rubber protective covers prevent dirt and water ingress to steering components. While not immediately dangerous, failed gaiters allow contamination that accelerates wear of expensive steering components.
What to check: Inspect under the car at the front wheels for split or perished rubber gaiters around the steering rack ends. Look for grease deposits around the steering components indicating seal failure. Check ball joint dust covers for cracks or tears.
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Exhaust system deterioration
Wear item W453MOT data shows W453 models fail at over 16 times the fleet average for noise suppression system security, indicating exhaust mounting and silencer problems. The compact design means exhaust systems run close to bodywork and are subject to heat cycling stress. Insecure or damaged silencers cause excessive noise and MOT failure.
What to check: Visually inspect under the car for damaged or missing exhaust hangers and heat shields. Look for corrosion or holes in silencer boxes and connecting pipes. Check exhaust mounting points for security.
We haven’t flagged any common problems for this generation in our data yet. A history check still tells you about finance, write-offs and theft, and the MOT history shows how this particular car has been looked after.
Forfour MOT results
of Forfour MOT tests end in a fail, from 65,846 tests.
Most common reasons for failing
- Body panel damageBodywork
- Stop lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/...Lights & Electrics
- Any part of the noise suppression system insecureExhaust & Emissions
Check the Forfour you’re buying
One report covers outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and previous owners from Experian, plus MOT history, mileage and the known problems for its generation.
Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian.
What the check includes
- Outstanding finance Experian
- Write-off status Experian
- Stolen vehicle check Experian
- Previous owners and keeper history Experian
- MOT history and advisories DVSA
- Mileage check DVSA
- Known problems for its generation GetCarWise
- How many are left on the road DVLA
Forfour questions
Is the Smart (mcc) Forfour reliable?
20.8% of Forfour models fail their MOT based on 65,846 tests analysed. That’s about average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being emissions system failure. A full history check shows whether a specific car has had related write-offs or insurance claims.
What are the main problems with a Smart (mcc) Forfour?
The most serious known issues are emissions system failure, suspension joint wear, wheel bearing failure. Problems vary by generation, so check which apply to the year you’re looking at. Our car check flags whether a specific Forfour has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.
How do I check if a Smart (mcc) Forfour has outstanding finance?
Enter the registration on this page. We query Experian’s finance database and return any outstanding agreements within a minute. If finance is still owed, the finance company can legally repossess the car even after you’ve paid the seller. At £7.49 it’s the cheapest way to avoid a car that isn’t legally for sale.
How do I check if a Smart (mcc) Forfour has been written off?
Our check queries Experian’s insurance write-off database for Cat A, B, S and N markers. A Cat S or N Forfour has been structurally or non-structurally damaged and repaired. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, but it affects resale value and some insurers won’t cover it. The check costs £7.49.
Can I check a Smart (mcc) Forfour for free?
You can check MOT history free on GOV.UK, which shows past test results and advisories. What it won’t show is outstanding finance, write-offs or theft markers, which are the things that actually cost you money after you’ve bought. Our full check adds all of that for £7.49, using Experian data.
Is a Smart (mcc) Forfour HPI check worth it?
HPI is one brand of car check. Our check uses the same Experian data covering finance, stolen, write-off and keeper history, plus MOT analysis and known Forfour faults that HPI doesn’t include. At £7.49 it’s typically less than half the price of an HPI check.
What does a Smart (mcc) Forfour fail its MOT on?
The most common MOT failure on the Forfour is body panel damage. 20.8% of Forfour models fail overall, based on 65,846 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.
More on the Forfour
Other Smart (mcc) car checks
Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.