Smart Common MOT Problems (2026)
Smart models ranked by MOT fail rate, with typical issues to check for cars of each age and type. Based on 21,384 MOT tests (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Average Smart MOT pass rate: 80%
Check Your Smart's MOT History
See the specific issues found on your car, plus health score and running cost estimates.
80%
Avg pass rate
20%
Avg fail rate
46
Models tested
Smart Models with the Most MOT Problems
Highest average fail rates (models with 1,000+ tests, cars registered up to 2021)
| # | Model | Fail Rate | Typical Issues (estimate) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smart City Passion 61 Auto | 26% | Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration | |
| 2 | Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) | 21% | Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration | |
| 3 | Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto | 19% | Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration | |
| 4 | Smart Fortwo Pulse MHD Auto | 18% | Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration |
Most Reliable Smart Models
Lowest average fail rates (models with 1,000+ tests, cars registered up to 2021). Newer models tend to pass more often simply because they are younger.
| # | Model | Pass Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smart Fortwo Pulse MHD Auto | 82% | |
| 2 | Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto | 81% | |
| 3 | Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) | 79% | |
| 4 | Smart City Passion 61 Auto | 73% |
All Smart Models by Fail Rate
Every Smart model and year with 300+ MOT tests (cars registered up to 2021), sorted by fail rate (highest first). Fuel type is shown as a guide.
| Model | Year | Pass Rate | Fail Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Passion 61 Auto | 2006 | 72% | 27% | |
| Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) | 2004 | 77% | 23% | |
| Fortwo Passion MHD Auto | 2011 | 78% | 21% | |
| Fortwo Passion MHD Auto | 2009 | 78% | 21% | |
| Fortwo Passion 71 Auto | 2008 | 80% | 19% | |
| Fortwo Passion MHD Auto | 2010 | 80% | 19% | |
| Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd) | 2004 | 81% | 19% | |
| Fortwo Passion MHD Auto | 2013 | 82% | 18% | |
| Fortwo Pulse MHD Auto | 2013 | 81% | 18% | |
| Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) | 2005 | 81% | 18% | |
| Fortwo Passion MHD Auto | 2012 | 83% | 17% | |
| Fortwo Edition 21 MHD Auto | 2013 | 84% | 16% | |
| Fortwo Pure 61 MHD Auto | 2013 | 84% | 15% | |
| Eq Forfour Pulse Premium | 2020 | 87% | 12% | |
| Eq Forfour Prime Exclusive | 2020 | 92% | 8% | |
| Eq Fortwo Pulse Premium | 2020 | 92% | 8% | |
| Eq Forfour Premium | 2021 | 93% | 7% | |
| Eq Fortwo Prime Exclusive | 2020 | 92% | 7% | |
| Eq Forfour Exclusive | 2021 | 93% | 6% | |
| Eq Fortwo Prime Exclusive | 2021 | 97% | 3% | |
| Eq Fortwo Exclusive | 2021 | 98% | 2% |
Smart MOT FAQ
What are the most common MOT problems on Smart cars?
The most common MOT problems on Smart cars vary by model and age, but typically include lighting defects, suspension wear, brake wear and tyre condition, which are the most common reasons for failure across all makes in DVSA's published MOT statistics. Older Smart diesels are more prone to exhaust and emissions failures. Of the Smart models with at least 1,000 tests, the Smart City Passion 61 Auto has the highest average fail rate at 26%.
Which Smart model is the most reliable?
In our data, the Smart Fortwo Pulse MHD Auto has the best MOT record of the Smart models with at least 1,000 tests: 82% of its 1,166 MOT tests ended in a pass and 18% in a fail. Newer models tend to pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare models of a similar age.
What is the average MOT pass rate for Smart?
The average MOT pass rate for Smart is 80%, based on 21,384 MOT tests across 46 models (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That means roughly 20% of MOT tests on Smart cars ended in a fail.
Smart Model Problem Guides
Typical issues to check, rough repair costs and year-by-year MOT pass rates for each Smart model
Every Smart model, A to Z (14)
- Smart City Passion 61 Auto
- Smart Eq Forfour Premium
- Smart Eq Forfour Prime Exclusive
- Smart Eq Forfour Pulse Premium
- Smart Eq Fortwo Prime Exclusive
- Smart Eq Fortwo Pulse Premium
- Smart Forfour Passion
- Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Auto
- Smart Fortwo Passion 84 Auto
- Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto
- Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Auto
- Smart Fortwo Pulse MHD Auto
- Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd)
- Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd)
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Enter any reg plate to see the individual MOT history, defects found, health score, and running cost estimate for that specific car.