Smart Fortwo Pulse 61 S-A (2005)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 34 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,950

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

59%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

698cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

59% pass rate, £1,950/year to run. 23 points below average.

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Petrol698cc21 years old34 tests76k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 698cc)

~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

59% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 23 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Smart brand average of 80%.

59% of MOT tests on Smart Fortwo Pulse 61 S-As from 2005 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 19 years old. That's based on 34 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 76,466 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2005 models500th of 504(bottom 1%)

Rank among Smart models123rd of 123(bottom 1%)

vs average of all models-23%(82% avg)

vs 2005 models average-13%(72% avg)

vs Smart average-21%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

76,466

Average miles

140,600

Expected for age

The average 2005 Smart Fortwo Pulse 61 S-A had 76,466 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 140,600 miles for a 19-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Similar Cars to Consider

Nissan Micra

2005 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

72%

+13%

Peugeot 107

2007 · 980cc Petrol

£1,750/year

71%

+12%

Toyota Aygo

2007 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

70%

+11%

Vauxhall Corsa

2004 · 998cc Petrol

£1,950/year

68%

+9%

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About the 2005 Smart Fortwo Pulse 61 S-A

The 2005 Smart Fortwo Pulse 61 S-A is a city car. Our records list a 698cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 34 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 1% of 2005 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 76,466 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Smart Fortwo Pulse 61 S-A owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2005 Smart Fortwo Pulse 61 S-A Fuel Costs

The modest 698cc 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 2005 Smart Fortwo Pulse 61 S-A?

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 59% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Buying a Used 2005 Smart Fortwo Pulse 61 S-A

At 21 years old, the Smart Fortwo Pulse 61 S-A 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. Note: with only 34 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

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 59% 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 2005 Smart Fortwo Pulse 61 S-A 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 Pulse 61 S-A(2005)	59%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,950
Nissan Micra(2005)	72%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750-£200
Peugeot 107(2007)	71%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750-£200
Toyota Aygo(2007)	70%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750-£200
Vauxhall Corsa(2004)	68%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,950same

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 2005 Smart Fortwo Pulse 61 S-A

Is the 2005 Smart Fortwo Pulse 61 S-A reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 59% of MOT tests on 2005 Smart Fortwo Pulse 61 S-As ended in a pass, from 34 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 23 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2005 Smart Fortwo Pulse 61 S-A 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 2005 Smart Fortwo Pulse 61 S-A?

59% of 34 MOT tests on the 2005 Smart Fortwo Pulse 61 S-A ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 500th of 504 models first registered in 2005 (bottom 1%).

What is the average mileage for a 2005 Smart Fortwo Pulse 61 S-A?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2005 Smart Fortwo Pulse 61 S-A is 76,466 miles, which is below the expected 140,600 miles for a 19-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.