2012 · 12 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2012 Smart Fortwo MOT pass rate and common faults

712 MOT tests in 2024. 70.2% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

109Well above average
Passed first time70.2%
Failed or needed repairs29.8%
Typical mileage at test53,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 712 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.6%
  2. Service brake performance: excessively binding4.2%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.7%
  4. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.4%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
    24 marked dangerous
  6. Position lamp: not working2.0%
  7. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.0%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.7%
  9. Headlamp aim: too high1.4%
  10. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits1.4%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics16.4%
  2. Brakes11.0%
  3. Suspension7.7%
  4. Tyres5.8%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.9%
  6. Emissions & leaks4.5%
  7. Body & chassis2.9%
  8. Steering0.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.6%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded11.9%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.4%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick5.9%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding5.1%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: coil spring: fractured or broken. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Smart Fortwo?

In 2024, 70.2% of 2012 Smart Fortwo cars passed their MOT first time, across 712 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Smart Fortwo?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; service brake performance: excessively binding; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2012 Smart Fortwo reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 109, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).