CarCostCheck

Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto (2008)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 123 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,950

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

999cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £1,950/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol999cc18 years old123 tests68k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 999cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175
Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£20
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£1,950
Per month£163/mo
Per week£38/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

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Smart brand average of 80%.

69% of MOT tests on Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Autos from 2008 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 16 years old. That's based on 123 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 68,393 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 models470th of 566(bottom 18%)
Rank among Smart models114th of 123(bottom 9%)
vs average of all models-13%(82% avg)
vs 2008 models average-4%(73% avg)
vs Smart average-11%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

68,393

Average miles

vs

118,400

Expected for age

The average 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto had 68,393 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 118,400 miles for a 16-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 2012 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 83%, while the 2008 model has the lowest at 69%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201488%5141,518 mi
201382%2,09149,124 mi
201283%80955,819 mi
201178%72260,614 mi
201080%54361,736 mi
200978%68062,835 mi
200869%12368,393 mi

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About the 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto

The 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto is a city car. Our records list a 999cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 123 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 18% of 2008 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 68,393 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2008 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD 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 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,950 (£163/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto Reliability Trend

Newer Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Autos pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 5 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto

At 18 years old, the Smart Fortwo Passion MHD 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrEst. Ins. GroupTotal/yr
Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto(2008)69%£1,175£20Grp 1-8£1,950
Ford Fiesta(2008)72%£1,398£200Grp 8-20£2,153+£203
Vauxhall Corsa(2010)74%£1,398£200Grp 8-20£2,153+£203
Peugeot 207(2010)70%£1,398£200Grp 8-20£2,153+£203
Honda Jazz(2009)78%£1,398£200Grp 8-20£2,153+£203

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 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto

Is the 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 69% of MOT tests on 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Autos ended in a pass, from 123 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,950 a year (£163 a month): £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto?

69% of 123 MOT tests on the 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 470th of 566 models first registered in 2008 (bottom 18%).

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

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto has the highest MOT pass rate at 83% and the 2008 the lowest at 69%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto is 68,393 miles, which is below the expected 118,400 miles for a 16-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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