Smart Fortwo: what fails at MOT
35,000 MOT tests on the Smart Fortwo in 2024, counted. 18.5% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
18.4% of Smart Fortwo tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 20.6%, so the Fortwo is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (3.8% of tests), tyres (3.4% of tests) and wipers, washers and windscreen (3.1% of tests). It fails on wipers, washers and windscreen and exhaust and emissions more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3,108 | 10.7% | 13.4% | 19,900 12,500 to 29,400 |
| 2018 | 5,559 | 14.1% | 15.6% | 24,900 15,800 to 36,500 |
| 2017 | 7,530 | 17.3% | 18.2% | 30,100 20,100 to 42,800 |
| 2016 | 8,600 | 20.6% | 21.3% | 35,700 24,000 to 49,400 |
| 2015 | 3,163 | 21.4% | 24.4% | 41,200 27,800 to 57,000 |
| 2014 | 5,551 | 21.0% | 27.7% | 42,300 29,100 to 58,800 |
| 2013 | 1,147 | 30.7% | 30.6% | 47,300 33,500 to 63,400 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Smart Fortwo tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Fortwo | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 3.8% | 4.4% |
| Tyres | 3.4% | 4.0% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen More than most | 3.1% | 2.3% |
| Brakes | 2.5% | 3.0% |
| Exhaust and emissions More than most | 2.0% | 1.3% |
| Suspension Less than most | 1.7% | 3.5% |
| Body and structure | 0.8% | 1.1% |
The parts that fail most
- Wipers1.9%
- Tyre1.8%
- Tyre tread1.4%
- Brake light1.4%
- Washers1.2%
- Headlamp aim1.2%
- Brake pads1.2%
- Exhaust emissions1.1%
- Engine warning light0.7%
- Headlamp0.7%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.8%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
- Brake light: not working1.3%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.1%
- Exhaust emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits0.9%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.9%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.7%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.7%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.6%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.6%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge7.9%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.3%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.0%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.6%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively1.7%
- Number plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread1.5%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material1.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement1.0%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “Has it ever failed on emissions or an exhaust leak, and what was done about it?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Smart Fortwo's own MOT record
Looking at a Fortwo? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.