Smart Fortwo Coupe: what fails at MOT
23,000 MOT tests on the Smart Fortwo Coupe in 2024, counted. 33.9% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
33.9% of Smart Fortwo Coupe tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 39.1%, so the Fortwo Coupe does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (11% of tests), suspension (8.2% of tests) and brakes (6.4% of tests).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,980 | 26.7% | 33.4% | 53,000 38,200 to 70,200 |
| 2011 | 3,175 | 30.5% | 36.1% | 60,700 44,600 to 78,700 |
| 2010 | 4,755 | 32.9% | 38.6% | 63,700 48,500 to 81,500 |
| 2009 | 5,251 | 34.3% | 39.8% | 65,000 49,200 to 83,100 |
| 2008 | 4,252 | 35.5% | 41.5% | 68,300 51,500 to 87,400 |
| 2007 | 2,048 | 38.8% | 41.5% | 68,600 50,900 to 86,600 |
| 2006 | 702 | 39.6% | 42.4% | 67,300 51,100 to 82,500 |
| 2005 | 540 | 43.5% | 42.2% | 71,900 55,400 to 89,500 |
| 2004 | 421 | 38.5% | 42.3% | 67,100 51,500 to 88,000 |
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 Coupe 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 Coupe | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 11.0% | 12.6% |
| Suspension | 8.2% | 10.8% |
| Brakes | 6.4% | 7.1% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 3.9% | 3.6% |
| Tyres | 3.8% | 5.0% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.7% | 4.2% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 2.3% | 4.3% |
| Steering Less than most | 0.5% | 2.2% |
The parts that fail most
- Coil spring3.8%
- Headlamp aim3.4%
- Headlamp3.1%
- Footbrake3.0%
- Side light2.9%
- Brake light2.6%
- Tyre2.5%
- Engine warning light2.3%
- Washers2.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes1.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken3.7%
- Side light: not working2.8%
- Footbrake: excessively binding2.5%
- Brake light: not working2.3%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.3%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.2%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.5%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.5%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material10.0%
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge9.0%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing8.3%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive3.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.4%
- Footbrake: binding but not excessively3.3%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement3.1%
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 all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Has it ever failed on emissions or an exhaust leak, and what was done about it?”
Check a Smart Fortwo Coupe's own MOT record
Looking at a Fortwo Coupe? 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.