The 2014–present Forfour shares its small rear‑mounted petrol engines and many components with the Renault Twingo, so many parts are common and not bespoke to Smart. The manual gearbox is simple and cheap to maintain but check for clutch wear because this car is frequently used for town driving. Expect a small boot and an unusual rear‑engine packaging — good for tight parking but not for large family loads, and resale demand tends to be weak so prices can fall faster than more mainstream superminis.

• Clutch bite point and pedal feel for wear or slipping (especially after lots of town miles)
• Rear engine area for oil leaks, coolant hose condition and any coolant loss (cooling layout is at the rear)
• Signs of corrosion under sills, wheelarches and around boot seams (Irish climate + road salt)
• Front suspension/track-rod boots and tyre wear pattern (uneven wear can indicate geometry or shock problems)
• Electrical items: windows, central locking and infotainment — small-brand electrics can be prone to niggles