Used car guide

2005 Smart (mcc) Fortwo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Smart (mcc) Fortwos, from 575 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

575MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
3,400typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for washers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Smart (mcc) Fortwos than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Washers2.4× usual
    Smart (mcc) Fortwo
    9% All 2005 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9%, against 3.8% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.9× usual
    Smart (mcc) Fortwo
    6.6% All 2005 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 2.2% of all 2005 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.

By area

The share of 2005 Smart (mcc) Fortwo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    40% 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.

  • Brakes
    39% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    39% 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
    29% 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
    13% 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
20191,872Tyres 26%
20183,365Tyres 30%
20174,802Tyres 27%
20165,717Tyres 26%
20152,205Tyres 25%
20143,658Tyres 26%
2013889Tyres 29%
20121,781Brakes 33%
20112,998Brakes 30%
20104,241Brakes 32%
20094,613Brakes 36%
20083,749Brakes 35%
20071,771Brakes 34%
2006752Suspension 40%
2004502Lights and electrics 38%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Smart (mcc) Fortwos registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score