What are the most common problems with a 2019 Smart Fortwo?

The biggest MOT weak spot is number plates: flagged on 2.2% of tests, 2× the rate for all 2019 cars.

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 2019 Smart Fortwo?

Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2019 Smart Fortwo as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

2019 Smart Fortwo: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Smart Fortwo first registered in 2019: we looked at the 5,575 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,575MOTs of 2019 cars, done in 2023–2025

87%pass first time (all 2019 cars: 85%)

4,000typical miles a year

2×the usual rate for number plates

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 Smart Fortwo?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2019 Smart Fortwo than on all cars registered in 2019.

Number plates2× usual

Smart Fortwo
2.2% All 2019 cars
1.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.2% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

Common 2019 Smart Fortwo MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2019 Smart Fortwo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Tyres

24% 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.
Brakes

13% 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.
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.
Lights and electrics

5% 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

3% 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

1% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2019 Smart Fortwo

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

Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2019 Smart Fortwo as on other cars the same age.)
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, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Smart Fortwo compared

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2024	–	Too new for MOT data
2023	–	Too new for MOT data
2022	–	Too few tests
2021	–	Too few tests
2020	–	Too few tests
2018	9,966	Tyres 27%
2017	14,234	Tyres 27%
2016	16,973	Tyres 26%
2015	6,545	Tyres 26%
2014	10,995	Tyres 26%
2013	2,714	Tyres 29%
2012	5,475	Brakes 29%
2011	9,133	Tyres 28%
2010	13,296	Brakes 30%
2009	14,337	Brakes 35%
2008	11,733	Brakes 34%
2007	5,642	Brakes 34%
2006	2,488	Suspension 39%
2005	2,000	Lights and electrics 40%
2004	1,762	Brakes 39%
2003	461	Brakes 39%
2002	234	Brakes 36%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Smart Fortwo cars first registered in 2019. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score