Smart Common MOT Problems (2026)

Q: What are the most common MOT problems on Smart cars?

The most common MOT problems on Smart cars include lighting defects, suspension wear, and brake issues. The City Pulse 61 Semi-auto has the highest average fail rate at 38%.

Q: Which Smart model is the most reliable?

The most reliable Smart model is the Eq Fortwo Exclusive with an average MOT pass rate of 98% across 336 tests.

Every Smart model ranked by MOT fail rate, with the most common issues identified for each. Based on 21,384 real MOT tests.

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

Models tested

Smart Models with the Most MOT Problems

Highest average fail rates across all tested years

#	Model	Fail Rate	Tests	Common Issues
1	Smart City Pulse 61 Semi-auto	38%	53	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
2	Smart Forfour Coolstyle 90 S-a	36%	83	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
3	Smart Forfour Pulse	32%	319	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
4	Smart Roadster Finale Edition A	28%	75	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
5	Smart City Passion 61 Auto	26%	1,172	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration

Most Reliable Smart Models

Lowest average fail rates; the Smart models least likely to have MOT problems

#	Model	Pass Rate	Fail Rate	Tests
1	Smart Eq Fortwo Exclusive	98%	2%	336
2	Smart Coupe	98%	2%	54
3	Smart Eq Fortwo Brabus Line	97%	3%	119
4	Smart Eq Fortwo Edition One	96%	4%	134
5	Smart Eq Fortwo Prime Exclusive	95%	5%	813

All Smart Models by Fail Rate

Every Smart model and year combination, sorted by fail rate (highest first)

Model	Year	Fuel	Pass Rate	Fail Rate	Likely Issues
City Pulse 61 Semi-auto	2004	Petrol	60%	38%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Forfour Coolstyle 90 S-a	2006	Petrol	64%	36%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Forfour Pulse	2004	Petrol	63%	34%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Forfour Pulse	2006	Petrol	67%	33%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto	2008	Petrol	69%	31%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Passion 84 Auto	2007	Petrol	69%	31%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Forfour Passion Semi-auto	2005	Petrol	70%	30%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
City Passion 61 Auto	2007	Petrol	71%	29%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Forfour Pulse	2005	Petrol	69%	29%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Pulse Cdi Auto	2011	Diesel	71%	29%	DPF/emissions, Injector wear, Suspension wear
Forfour Passion	2005	Petrol	71%	28%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Passion 71 Auto	2007	Petrol	72%	28%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Roadster Finale Edition A	2007	Petrol	72%	28%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
City Passion 61 Auto	2006	Petrol	72%	27%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
City Passion 61 Auto	2004	Petrol	72%	27%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Forfour Passion	2006	Petrol	73%	26%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Forfour Pure	2006	Petrol	70%	26%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd)	2005	Petrol	74%	26%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Pure 71 Auto	2008	Petrol	74%	26%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Passion 84 Auto	2009	Petrol	75%	25%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
City Passion 61 Auto	2003	Petrol	75%	25%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Passion Auto	2011	Petrol	73%	25%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Roadster 80 Auto(rhd)	2006	Petrol	75%	24%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Forfour Passion Semi-auto	2006	Petrol	76%	24%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Forfour Passion	2004	Petrol	72%	24%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Passion Cdi 54 A	2009	Diesel	76%	24%	DPF/emissions, Injector wear, Suspension wear
Roadster 80 Auto(rhd)	2004	Petrol	77%	23%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Passion Cdi 54 A	2010	Diesel	77%	23%	DPF/emissions, Injector wear, Suspension wear
Forfour Passion Semi-auto	2004	Petrol	77%	23%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Pulse Cdi Auto	2012	Diesel	77%	23%	DPF/emissions, Injector wear, Suspension wear
Fortwo Pure 71 Auto	2007	Petrol	77%	23%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Passion Cdi Auto	2009	Diesel	75%	22%	DPF/emissions, Injector wear, Suspension wear
Forfour Coolstyle	2006	Petrol	78%	22%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Forfour Coolstyle 75	2006	Petrol	78%	22%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto	2011	Petrol	78%	21%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto	2009	Petrol	78%	21%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Pulse 71 Auto	2008	Petrol	77%	21%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
City Passion 61 Auto	2005	Petrol	78%	20%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Passion 84 Auto	2008	Petrol	78%	20%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Passion 84 Auto	2010	Petrol	79%	20%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Forfour Passion Semi-auto	2007	Petrol	80%	20%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Passion 71 Auto	2008	Petrol	80%	19%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto	2010	Petrol	80%	19%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd)	2004	Petrol	81%	19%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Passion Cdi Auto	2011	Diesel	80%	19%	DPF/emissions, Injector wear, Suspension wear
Fortwo Pulse Mhd Auto	2011	Petrol	80%	19%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Forfour Brabus	2006	Petrol	79%	19%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Truestyle Auto	2006	Petrol	81%	19%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto	2013	Petrol	82%	18%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration
Fortwo Pulse Mhd Auto	2013	Petrol	81%	18%	Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration

Showing top 50 of 95 model/year combinations. View all Smart models

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 component deterioration, and tyre condition issues. Older Smart diesels are more prone to exhaust and emissions failures. The City Pulse 61 Semi-auto has the highest average fail rate at 38%.

Which Smart model is the most reliable?

The most reliable Smart model in our data is the Eq Fortwo Exclusive with an average MOT pass rate of 98%. View all Smart models for full reliability data.

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. This means about 20% of Smart cars fail their MOT on the first attempt.

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All Smart Models

Full model list with running costs and reliability data

All Makes

Common problems for every car make

Reliability Rankings

Most and least reliable cars ranked by pass rate