CarCostCheck

Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 809 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,600

£133/month

MOT Pass Rate

83%

Good

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

999cc Petrol

Solid Option

83% pass rate, £1,600/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Petrol999cc14 years old809 tests56k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 999cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175
Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£20
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,600
Per month£133/mo
Per week£31/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

83% 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.

83% of MOT tests on Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Autos from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 809 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 55,819 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models292nd of 650(top half)
Rank among Smart models40th of 123(top half)
vs average of all models+1%(82% avg)
vs 2012 models average+5%(78% avg)
vs Smart average+3%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

55,819

Average miles

vs

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto had 55,819 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 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

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto

The 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto is a city car. Our records list a 999cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 809 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 2012, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 55,819 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 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 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,600 (£133/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 83% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto

At 14 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.

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 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(2012)83%£1,175£20Grp 1-8£1,600
Ford Fiesta(2014)79%£1,175£20Grp 1-8£1,750+£150
Vauxhall Corsa(2014)76%£1,398£200Grp 8-20£2,153+£553
Volkswagen Polo(2011)75%£1,175£170Grp 5-15£1,900+£300
Peugeot 208(2013)75%£1,175£20Grp 1-8£1,750+£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 MHD Auto

Is the 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 83% of MOT tests on 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Autos ended in a pass, from 809 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 1 point above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

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

Our estimate is £1,600 a year (£133 a month): £1,175 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 MHD Auto?

83% of 809 MOT tests on the 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 292nd of 650 models first registered in 2012 (top half).

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 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto is 55,819 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.

Related Smart Models

Explore other Smart cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto.

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