Used car guide

2001 Smart (mcc) City Coupe: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Smart (mcc) City Coupes, from 152 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 152 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

152MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
2,700typical miles a year
33%had brakes flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2001 Smart (mcc) City Coupe MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    33% 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.

  • Suspension
    32% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    32% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    23% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    16% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    14% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009129Suspension 35%
2007406Suspension 38%
2006505Suspension 42%
2005313Suspension 37%
2004548Lights and electrics 36%
2003740Suspension 39%
2002517Lights and electrics 38%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Smart (mcc) City Coupes registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score