CarCostCheck

Smart (MCC) City Coupe (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 92 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,644

£137/month

MOT Pass Rate

87%

Good

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

n/a

Diesel

Solid Option

87% pass rate, £1,644/year to run. 5 points above average.

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Diesel14 years old92 tests61k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 0cc)

~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

87% 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. It also outperforms the Smart (MCC) brand average of 78%.

87% of MOT tests on Smart (MCC) City Coupes from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 92 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 61,112 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models200th of 650(top half)
Rank among Smart (MCC) models11th of 83(top 14%)
vs average of all models+5%(82% avg)
vs 2012 models average+9%(78% avg)
vs Smart (MCC) average+9%(78% avg)

Mileage Analysis

61,112

Average miles

vs

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Smart (MCC) City Coupe had 61,112 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 2008 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 82%, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 71%. The 2012 scores 87%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Smart (MCC) City Coupe by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201287%9261,112 mi
201182%8559,759 mi
201078%13170,197 mi
200980%19466,729 mi
200882%15466,106 mi
200775%91868,421 mi
200672%1,01465,347 mi
200574%74969,752 mi
200476%1,30270,320 mi
200372%1,83871,265 mi
200273%1,16370,099 mi
200171%34567,706 mi
200074%11170,989 mi
199967%8779,970 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2012 Smart (MCC) City Coupe

The 2012 Smart (MCC) City Coupe is a city car. Our records list a 0cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 92 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 61,112 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Smart (MCC) City Coupe owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 Smart (MCC) City Coupe Fuel Costs

The modest 0cc 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 (MCC) City Coupe?

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 87% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Smart (MCC) City Coupe Reliability Trend

Newer Smart (MCC) City Coupes pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 4 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2012 Smart (MCC) City Coupe

At 14 years old, the Smart (MCC) City Coupe 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 2008 model has the highest pass rate at 82%. Note: with only 92 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.

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 (MCC) City Coupe stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrEst. Ins. GroupTotal/yr
Smart (MCC) City Coupe(2012)87%£1,219£20n/a£1,644
Ford Kuga(2011)78%£1,219£20n/a£1,794+£150
Volkswagen Touran(2010)74%£1,219£20n/a£1,794+£150
Peugeot Bipper(2012)73%£1,219£20n/a£1,794+£150
MINI Cooper D(2011)79%£1,219£20n/a£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 (MCC) City Coupe

Is the 2012 Smart (MCC) City Coupe reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 87% of MOT tests on 2012 Smart (MCC) City Coupes ended in a pass, from 92 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 5 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2012 Smart (MCC) City Coupe 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 (MCC) City Coupe?

87% of 92 MOT tests on the 2012 Smart (MCC) City Coupe ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 200th of 650 models first registered in 2012 (top half).

Which year Smart (MCC) City Coupe has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2008 Smart (MCC) City Coupe has the highest MOT pass rate at 82% and the 2001 the lowest at 71%. 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 (MCC) City Coupe?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Smart (MCC) City Coupe is 61,112 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 (MCC) Models

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

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Smart (MCC) City Coupe.

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