2016 Smart ForFour MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 70.6% of Smart ForFours first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. Across 15,868 ForFour first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, noise, emissions and leaks and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Smart ForFours first used in 2016 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2016 Smart ForFour MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, ForFours first used in 2016 against all cars first used in 2016 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the ForFour figure was 4.3 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2016 ForFour | All cars first used 2016 | ForFour first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 80.4% | 82.7% | 5,235 |
| 2022 | 77.1% | 80.9% | 5,322 |
| 2023 | 74.5% | 78.6% | 5,284 |
| 2024 | 71.8% | 76.7% | 5,320 |
| 2025 | 70.6% | 74.9% | 5,264 |
Common 2016 Smart ForFour MOT failures
Share of the 4,393 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 13.5% | 592 |
| Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | 13.0% | 572 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 12.8% | 563 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 11.8% | 517 |
| Stop lamp: not working | 10.4% | 458 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a ForFour in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2016 Smart ForFour before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Engine and emissions. Worth checking that the engine warning light goes out after starting, looking for oil leaks under the car, and noticing any smoke from the exhaust.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
Common 2016 Smart ForFour MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2016 ForFours, as a share of all 15,868 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 18.3% | 2,896 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 10.3% | 1,633 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 9.1% | 1,447 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 5.8% | 917 |
| Brake discs: worn, but not excessively | 4.0% | 628 |
Questions about the 2016 Smart ForFour MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2016 Smart ForFour?
In 2025, 70.6% of ForFours first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2016 ForFour most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 30.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), noise, emissions and leaks (25.3%) and suspension (25.3%). The single most common item was “Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm” (13.5%).
How often does a 2016 Smart ForFour fail its MOT?
In 2025, 29.4% of first tests on ForFours first used in 2016 did not pass first time: 23.5% failed, and a further 5.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 4,393 of 15,868 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2016 Smart ForFour MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 18.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (10.3%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (9.1%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (5.8%) and “Brake discs: worn, but not excessively” (4.0%).
Is a 2016 Smart ForFour reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 80.4% in 2021 to 70.6% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2016
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2016 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2016 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2016 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2016 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2016 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2016 ForFour?
The numbers above cover every ForFour first used in 2016 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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