Used car guide · 2002–2024

Smart Fortwo common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Smart Fortwo, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 133,563 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

133,563MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
58,029on the UK register
1known fault across all years
2012best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002

What usually goes wrong with a Smart Fortwo?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Roof leaks (cabriolet)

    Cars registered 2007–2014 · Cabriolet

    Cabriolets have had leaks and water damage from the roof.

    At the viewing: On a cabriolet, check the roof seals and feel the carpets and seats for damp.

    Source: RAC: smart fortwo (2007-2014) used car review

Common Smart Fortwo MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    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.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)

    up to 6.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Braking performance

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    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.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

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

  • Number plates

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Washers

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

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

Smart Fortwo MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2012 Smart Fortwo did best (72% passed first time, 8 points above all 2012 cars) and the 2005 did worst (56%, 1 point below all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201987%85% +25,575
201884%83% +19,966
201781%80% +114,234
201679%77% +216,973
201577%74% +36,545
201477%70% +710,995
201372%67% +52,714
201272%64% +85,475
201168%62% +69,133
201065%60% +513,296
200963%59% +414,337
200862%57% +511,733
200761%57% +45,642
200659%56% +32,488
200556%57% -12,000
200460%57% +31,762
200359%57% +2461 (small sample)
200260%58% +2234 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Smart Fortwo

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the Smart Fortwo as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 6.5× as often on the Smart Fortwo as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the Smart Fortwo as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Smart Fortwo?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score