Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 135 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,644

£137/month

MOT Pass Rate

81%

Good

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

799cc Diesel

Solid Option

81% pass rate, £1,644/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Diesel799cc14 years old135 tests70k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 799cc)

~55 mpg

£1,219

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£20

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,644

Per month£137/mo

Per week£32/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p 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

81% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data.

81% of MOT tests on Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Autos from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 135 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 69,817 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models359th of 650(bottom half)

Rank among Smart models56th of 123(top half)

vs average of all models-1%(82% avg)

vs 2012 models average+3%(78% avg)

vs Smart average+1%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

69,817

Average miles

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto had 69,817 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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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2013 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 86%, while the 2009 model has the lowest at 75%. The 2012 scores 81%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2013	86%	279	57,601 mi
2012	81%	135	69,817 mi
2011	80%	181	74,562 mi
2010	85%	59	74,293 mi
2009	75%	236	82,158 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Vauxhall Astra

2012 · 1248cc Diesel

£1,944/year

78%

-3%

Volkswagen Polo

2014 · 1199cc Diesel

£1,644/year

80%

-1%

Fiat 500

2014 · 1248cc Diesel

£1,944/year

78%

-3%

SEAT Ibiza

2013 · 1199cc Diesel

£1,794/year

76%

-5%

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About the 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto

The 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto is a city car. Our records list a 799cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 135 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2012, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 69,817 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto Fuel Costs

The modest 799cc diesel engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,219 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

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

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,644 (£137/month), broken down as £1,219 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 81% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto Reliability Trend

Newer Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Autos pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 6 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto

At 14 years old, the Smart Fortwo Passion CDI 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2013 model has the highest pass rate at 86%.

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.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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 CDI 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 CDI Auto(2012)	81%	£1,219	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,644
Vauxhall Astra(2012)	78%	£1,219	£170	Grp 8-20	£1,944+£300
Volkswagen Polo(2014)	80%	£1,219	£20	Grp 5-15	£1,644same
Fiat 500(2014)	78%	£1,219	£170	Grp 8-20	£1,944+£300
SEAT Ibiza(2013)	76%	£1,219	£20	Grp 5-15	£1,794+£150

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 CDI Auto

Is the 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 81% of MOT tests on 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Autos ended in a pass, from 135 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 1 point below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

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

Our estimate is £1,644 a year (£137 a month): £1,219 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 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 CDI Auto?

81% of 135 MOT tests on the 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 359th of 650 models first registered in 2012 (bottom half).

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

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2013 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto has the highest MOT pass rate at 86% and the 2009 the lowest at 75%. 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 CDI Auto?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto is 69,817 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.