Used car guide

2013 Smart Fortwo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Smart Fortwos, from 2,439 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,439MOT tests in 2025
70%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
4,200typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Smart Fortwos than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.2× usual
    Smart Fortwo
    15.1% All 2013 cars
    4.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Braking performance2.1× usual
    Smart Fortwo
    9.3% All 2013 cars
    4.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Engine mounting condition20× usual
    Smart Fortwo
    2% All 2013 cars
    0.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.2× usual
    Smart Fortwo
    2.2% All 2013 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Better than most

Brake discs: 4% here, against 13.9% of all 2013 cars. Number plate lights: 0.8% here, against 6.1% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 Smart Fortwo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    29% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    27% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    15% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    13% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    7% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Smart Fortwo?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2012754Brakes 30%
2011680Brakes 26%
2010799Tyres 27%
2009742Brakes 35%
2008612Brakes 33%
2007245Lights and electrics 34%
2006106Suspension 39%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Smart Fortwos registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score