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Smart carsCode W454

Smart Forfour I problems (2004–2006)

The only engine of the Smart Forfour I that we have documented, the MIVEC gasolina, has no high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the versions it is fitted to: «Buy».[1][2][3]

Outside the engine: Outside the engine, the documented weak point of the Forfour 454 (2004-2006) is the clutch actuator of the softouch automated gearbox, along with some electrical quirks of the SAM unit. We have found no EU recalls for this generation.[4][5][6][7]

Smart Forfour I (2004–2006)
Photo: M 93 · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468107.9out of 10

Smart Forfour I rating: good reliability

Calculated using only 3 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. Limited evidence: it is based on few sources or few documented faults, so it is not included in the rankings. Having few documented faults does not mean it is reliable: it may simply be little studied. How it is calculated

  • Engine9.31 fault
  • Gearbox6.81 fault
  • Suspension7.2Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.1 times the defects normal for its age
  • Brakes8.0Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.8 times the defects normal for its age
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering5.9Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.6 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electrical system10.0No documented faults
  • Headlights and lights7.2Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.1 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electronics and infotainment9.31 fault
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior6.2Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.5 times the defects normal for its age
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

The weak points of the Smart Forfour I

  1. 1High severity: Softouch gearbox clutch actuator faultGearbox and clutch
  2. 2Low severity: Faulty throttle body on the Colt 1.1, 1.3 and 1.5MIVEC gasolina engine
  3. 3Low severity: SAM unit and electrical faults from translation between systemsElectronics and infotainment

Documented engine

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

10 sourcesHow we work

MIVEC gasolina

Mitsubishi MIVEC gasolina (3A91, 4A9x, 4B1x and 4J1x) · Petrol

In the Forfour I
2004–2006[8][9][10]
Names
forfour 1.1 · forfour 1.3 · forfour 1.5
Faults that affect it
1
Risk index on this car
7
Low risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • 1.1 (3A91, 2004-2012)2004–2012 · 64–75 hp · 3A91

    Buy

    Gebrauchtwagenberater describes the naturally aspirated petrol Colts as easy to maintain and very durable, and Autoplenum considers the pre-2008 petrol models a sound choice; no source records faults specific to the 1.1.[1][2]

  • 1.3 (4A90, 2004-2012)2004–2012 · 95 hp · 4A90

    Buy

    Gebrauchtwagenberater and Autoplenum describe the petrol Colts as robust and low-maintenance, with occasional throttle body defects as the only point cited.[1][2]

  • 1.5 (4A91, 2004-2012)2004–2012 · 109 hp · 4A91

    Buy

    Gebrauchtwagenberater recommends the Colt 1.5 from the 2008 facelift and Auto.cz describes it as a good, reliable base in the Lancer.[1][3]

Faults that affect the Forfour I

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The MIVEC gasolina has 4 documented faults in total.

  1. Low severityFrequency: OccasionalIntakeFaulty throttle body on the Colt 1.1, 1.3 and 1.5The petrol Colts (1.1, 1.3 and 1.5) have a reputation for toughness, but Gebrauchtwagenberater and Autoplenum cite occasional throttle body defects, on 2005 to 2008 cars according to the latter; no source details symptoms or cost.

Forfour I MIVEC gasolina pageAll versions and faults of the MIVEC gasolina

Faults of the Smart Forfour I outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

What the MOT inspection finds on the Smart Forfour I

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 1,272 inspections of 450 cars registered between 2004 and 2006, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 11.9% of inspections; in cars of its age, 10.6%.

    Average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 10.3% of inspections; in cars of its age, 13.3%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 7.6% of inspections; in cars of its age, 4.4%.

    More defects than average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 32.5% of inspections; in cars of its age, 29.1%.

    Average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 3.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1.9%.

    More defects than average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 3.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 6.4%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 2.8% of inspections; in cars of its age, 13.3%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 7.3% of inspections; in cars of its age, 6.4%.

    Average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 15.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 17.5%.

    Average

The inspection measures wear and the defects visible at a periodic check, not engine or electronics failures. Source: RDW Open Data (public domain). How we calculate it · opendata.rdw.nl

Checklist for buying a used Smart Forfour I

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the MIVEC gasolina (2004–2006)

Faulty throttle body on the Colt 1.1, 1.3 and 1.5

Low severity

Wear parts for the Smart Forfour I

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links

Buying a Smart Forfour I?

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Own a Smart Forfour I? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Smart Forfour I reliable?

The only engine of the Smart Forfour I that we have documented, the MIVEC gasolina, has no high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the versions it is fitted to: «Buy». Outside the engine, the documented weak point of the Forfour 454 (2004-2006) is the clutch actuator of the softouch automated gearbox, along with some electrical quirks of the SAM unit. We have found no EU recalls for this generation.

What problems does the Smart Forfour I have apart from the engine?

Outside the engine, the documented weak point of the Forfour 454 (2004-2006) is the clutch actuator of the softouch automated gearbox, along with some electrical quirks of the SAM unit. We have found no EU recalls for this generation. The most important documented faults are: softouch gearbox clutch actuator fault (gearbox and clutch, high severity) and SAM unit and electrical faults from translation between systems (electronics and infotainment, low severity).[4][5][6][7]

What faults does the Smart Forfour I have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: faulty throttle body on the Colt 1.1, 1.3 and 1.5 (MIVEC gasolina, low severity).

What is the best year to buy a Smart Forfour I?

According to our rating by year, the best is 2004 (8.3/10); the worst rated is 2005 (7.9/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Mitsubishi Colt VI (Z30) – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 9 December 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  2. Mitsubishi Colt (Z30)Autoplenum · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  3. Ojetý Mitsubishi Lancer (CY, CX): Když lancer, tak benzin!Auto.cz · Motoring press · published 20 July 2017 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in another language
  4. Forfour Auto Gear Faultevilution.co.uk · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
  5. 2004–2006 smart forfour (454) — New Owner GuideSmart Car Manuals · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
  6. Are Smart Cars Reliable? Fortwo & Forfour ProblemsService4Service · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  7. Smart Forfour: llamadas a revisión (car-recalls.eu)car-recalls.eu · Official body · consulted 29 October 2026
  8. Smart ForfourWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  9. Mitsubishi 4A9 engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  10. Mitsubishi 3A9 engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026