Smart (MCC) Forfour reliability, MPG and running costs
Figures updated
The Smart (MCC) Forfour is a city car. In 2024 MOT tests it scored 75 for reliability (100 is average), ranking 415 of 442, and 26.7% failed first time against a UK average of 28.5%. Its most common MOT failure is tread depth (3.5% of tests).
Ranked 415 of 442 cars in the 2024 MOT Reliability League, and 26 of 26 city cars
In 2024, 22,700 Smart (MCC) Forfours aged 3 to 20 had an MOT and 26.7% failed first time (UK average 28.5%). Taking age and mileage into account, the Smart (MCC) Forfour is 33% more likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage.
First-time fail rate
26.7%
UK 28.5%
Fail rate at 3 years
–
UK 12.7%
Average miles a year
5,800
Typical age at test: 7 years
Smart (MCC) Forfour MOT failure rate by age
Most common Smart (MCC) Forfour MOT faults
- Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.5% of tests
- Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.4% of tests
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.2% of tests
- Stop lamp: not working2.9% of tests
- Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.6% of tests
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid2.0% of tests
What the Smart (MCC) Forfour fails on
| Area | Tests failing | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 8.1% | ▲ 1.5× as often |
| Lights and electrics | 7.3% | ▲ 1.3× as often |
| Suspension | 6.5% | ▲ 1.4× as often |
| Visibility | 5.9% | ▲ 1.7× as often |
| Exhaust and emissions | 5.0% | ▲ 3.0× as often |
| Brakes | 3.8% | About average |
| Body and structure | 2.1% | ▲ 1.3× as often |
| Steering | 0.7% | ▼ 30% less often |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.3% | ▼ 33% less often |
| Wheels | 0.1% | ▼ 41% less often |
What MPG does the Smart (MCC) Forfour do?
Official economy for the Smart (MCC) Forfour ranges from 41.5 to 67.3mpg across the 57 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2006–2021). A typical petrol version manages 65.7mpg and a typical diesel 61.4mpg. Electric versions average 4.8 miles per kWh, with an official range of 73 to 95 miles. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
Work out a journey's fuel costHow much is road tax on a Smart (MCC) Forfour?
Any Smart (MCC) Forfour first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A Smart (MCC) Forfour registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £20 to £275 a year.
Work out tax for a specific carSmart (MCC) Forfour specs and running costs
Official figures for 57 versions sold in the UK between 2006 and 2021.
Fuel types
Diesel, Electric, Petrol
Official economy
41.5–67.3 mpg
Electric range
73–95 miles
Efficiency
4.0–4.8 mi/kWh
CO2
96–159 g/km
Power
82 PS
| Version | Fuel | Economy | CO2 | Car tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| forfour EQ82 PS · N/A · listed 2021 | Electric | 4 mi/kWh | 0g | £200 |
| forfour .5 EQ82 PS · N/A · listed 2021 | Electric | 4 mi/kWh | 0g | £200 |
| forfour electric drive with 15'' rear wheelsN/A · listed 2019 | Electric | 4.8 mi/kWh | 0g | £200 |
| forfour electric drive with 16'' rear wheelsN/A · listed 2019 | Electric | 4.8 mi/kWh | 0g | £200 |
| forfour 71hp (52kW) with 15'' & 16'' wheelsM5 · listed 2018 | Petrol | 67.3 mpg | 97g | £200 |
| forfour 71hp (52kW) twinamic with 15'' & 16'' wheelsA6 · listed 2018 | Petrol | 67.3 mpg | 96g | £200 |
| forfour 90hp (66kW) turbo with 15'' 16'' & 17'' rear wheelsM5 · listed 2018 | Petrol | 65.7 mpg | 99g | £200 |
| forfour 90hp (66kW) turbo twinamic with 15'' 16'' & 17'' rear wheelsA6 · listed 2018 | Petrol | 67.3 mpg | 98g | £200 |
| forfour Brabus 109hp (80kW) with 17'' rear wheelsA6 · listed 2018 | Petrol | 61.4 mpg | 104g | £200 |
| forfour night sky 71hp (52kW) with 15'' & 16'' wheelsM5 · listed 2018 | Petrol | 67.3 mpg | 97g | £200 |
| forfour night sky 71hp (52kW) twinamic with 15'' & 16'' wheelsA6 · listed 2018 | Petrol | 67.3 mpg | 96g | £200 |
| forfour night sky 90hp (66kW) turbo with 15'', 16'' & 17'' rear wheelsM5 · listed 2018 | Petrol | 65.7 mpg | 99g | £200 |
| forfour night sky 90hp (66kW) turbo twinamic with 15'', 16'' & 17'' rear wheelsA6 · listed 2018 | Petrol | 67.3 mpg | 98g | £200 |
| forfour night sky BRABUS 109hp (80kW) with 17'' rear wheelsA6 · listed 2018 | Petrol | 61.4 mpg | 104g | £200 |
| forfour 71hp (52kW) with 15'' & 16'' rear wheelsM5 · listed 2018 | Petrol | 67.3 mpg | 97g | £200 |
Economy and CO2 are official NEDC (before 2018) or WLTP figures. Car tax is the yearly rate at current rates for a car first registered in the year listed, before any expensive car supplement. Showing the 15 most recent of 57 versions.
What a Smart (MCC) Forfour costs to fuel
- petrol, typical official 65.7mpg…
- diesel, typical official 61.4mpg…
- Electric, typical official 4.8 miles per kWh…
Official figures are usually 10–15% better than real-world driving.
Work out your charging costsWork out a journey in a Smart (MCC) ForfourBuying a used Smart (MCC) Forfour?
Check the MOT history of the exact car: every result, advisory and mileage reading, free.
Compare the Smart (MCC) Forfour with other city cars
Reliability, economy, car tax and running costs side by side.
Other Smart (MCC) models
Frequently asked questions
›Is the Smart (MCC) Forfour reliable?
Its MOT record is worse than average: the Smart (MCC) Forfour is 33% more likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage, with a reliability score of 75 in our 2024 league (100 is average).
›What are common problems with the Smart (MCC) Forfour?
The most common MOT fault is “Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm”, found in 3.5% of tests. It fails on exhaust and emissions and visibility more often than similar cars.
›What MPG does the Smart (MCC) Forfour do?
Official economy for the Smart (MCC) Forfour ranges from 41.5 to 67.3mpg across the 57 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2006–2021). A typical petrol version manages 65.7mpg and a typical diesel 61.4mpg. Electric versions average 4.8 miles per kWh, with an official range of 73 to 95 miles. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
›How much is road tax on a Smart (MCC) Forfour?
Any Smart (MCC) Forfour first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A Smart (MCC) Forfour registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £20 to £275 a year.
›How many Smart (MCC) Forfours fail their MOT?
26.7% of Smart (MCC) Forfours aged 3 to 20 failed their MOT first time in 2024.
Sources: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024, all versions of the Smart (MCC) Forfour combined (Open Government Licence v3.0); official economy and CO2 from Vehicle Certification Agency data, © Crown copyright. VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy. How we calculate the league.