Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto (2008)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 87 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,750

£146/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

999cc Petrol

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £1,750/year to run. 8 points below average.

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Petrol999cc18 years old87 tests83k 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

£500

Total per year£1,750

Per month£146/mo

Per week£34/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

74% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Smart brand average of 80%.

74% of MOT tests on Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Autos from 2008 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 16 years old. That's based on 87 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 82,950 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 models335th of 566(bottom half)

Rank among Smart models94th of 123(bottom 25%)

vs average of all models-8%(82% avg)

vs 2008 models average+1%(73% avg)

vs Smart average-6%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

82,950

Average miles

118,400

Expected for age

The average 2008 Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto had 82,950 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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Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2008	74%	87	82,950 mi
2007	77%	56	82,587 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2008 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

72%

-2%

Vauxhall Corsa

2010 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

74%

same

Peugeot 207

2010 · 1360cc Petrol

£2,153/year

70%

-4%

Honda Jazz

2009 · 1300cc Petrol

£2,153/year

78%

+4%

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About the 2008 Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto

The 2008 Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto is a city car. Our records list a 999cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 87 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2008, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 82,950 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2008 Smart Fortwo Pure 71 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 Pure 71 Auto?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,750 (£146/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 2008 Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto

At 18 years old, the Smart Fortwo Pure 71 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. Note: with only 87 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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 83k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 Pure 71 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 Pure 71 Auto(2008)	74%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750
Ford Fiesta(2008)	72%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£403
Vauxhall Corsa(2010)	74%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£403
Peugeot 207(2010)	70%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£403
Honda Jazz(2009)	78%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£403

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 Pure 71 Auto

Is the 2008 Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 74% of MOT tests on 2008 Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Autos ended in a pass, from 87 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2008 Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,750 a year (£146 a month): £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto?

74% of 87 MOT tests on the 2008 Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 335th of 566 models first registered in 2008 (bottom half).

What is the average mileage for a 2008 Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2008 Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto is 82,950 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.