Smart Fortwo Passion Auto (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 105 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,450

£121/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

999cc Petrol

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £1,450/year to run. 9 points above average.

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Petrol999cc14 years old105 tests46k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 999cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£20

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,450

Per month£121/mo

Per week£28/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Smart brand average of 80%.

91% of MOT tests on Smart Fortwo Passion Autos from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 105 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 45,535 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models102nd of 650(top 16%)

Rank among Smart models18th of 123(top 15%)

vs average of all models+9%(82% avg)

vs 2012 models average+13%(78% avg)

vs Smart average+11%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

45,535

Average miles

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion Auto had 45,535 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Smart Fortwo Passion Auto by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2013	86%	160	49,589 mi
2012	91%	105	45,535 mi
2011	73%	84	59,463 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2014 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

79%

-12%

Vauxhall Corsa

2014 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

76%

-15%

Volkswagen Polo

2011 · 1198cc Petrol

£1,900/year

75%

-16%

Peugeot 208

2013 · 999cc Petrol

£1,750/year

75%

-16%

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About the 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion Auto

The 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion Auto is a city car. Our records list a 999cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 105 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 16% of all 2012 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 45,535 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Smart Fortwo Passion Auto owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 Smart Fortwo Passion Auto Fuel Costs

The modest 999cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion Auto?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,450 (£121/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Buying a Used 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion Auto

At 14 years old, the Smart Fortwo Passion Auto is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion Auto stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Smart Fortwo Passion Auto(2012)	91%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,450
Ford Fiesta(2014)	79%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750+£300
Vauxhall Corsa(2014)	76%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£703
Volkswagen Polo(2011)	75%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£1,900+£450
Peugeot 208(2013)	75%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750+£300

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion Auto

Is the 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion Auto reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of MOT tests on 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion Autos ended in a pass, from 105 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion Auto cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,450 a year (£121 a month): £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

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

91% of 105 MOT tests on the 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion Auto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 102nd of 650 models first registered in 2012 (top 16%).

Which year Smart Fortwo Passion Auto has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion Auto has the highest MOT pass rate at 91% and the 2013 the lowest at 86%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion Auto?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion Auto is 45,535 miles, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.