2020 Smart Eq Forfour Prime Exclusive — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 922 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Smart Eq Forfour Prime Exclusive, the most common recorded failure areas were visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 91.4% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (90.5%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 4.9% | 45 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.8% | 44 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 18 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.0% | 9 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.4% | 4 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 48 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 20 |
| 3 | Washers | 9 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 7 |
| 5 | Brake discs | 4 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 4 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 15.0% | 138 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.9% | 101 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.3% | 49 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.1% | 29 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 10 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.4% | 4 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 871 | 7.9% |
| 30-60k | 50 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 304 | 8.2% |
| 2024 | 306 | 8.5% |
| 2025 | 305 | 9.2% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Eq Forfour Prime Exclusive
Before buying a 2020 Smart Eq Forfour Prime Exclusive, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Visibility accounted for 4.9% of tests for this year.
- Visibility (4.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (4.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (1.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2020 Smart Eq Forfour Prime Exclusives pass their MOT?
91.4% of the 922 2020 Smart Eq Forfour Prime Exclusive MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Smart Eq Forfour Prime Exclusive?
Visibility, recorded in 4.9% of tests, followed by tyres (4.8%).
Does the 2020 Eq Forfour Prime Exclusive get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.9% in the 0-30k band to 20.0% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 922 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.