2006 · 18 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2006 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet MOT pass rate and common faults

144 MOT tests in 2024. 58.3% passed first time, compared with 56.1% for all cars the same age.

104Above average
Passed first time58.3%
Failed or needed repairs41.7%
Typical mileage at test65,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 144 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Stop lamp: not working7.6%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect6.3%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.6%
  4. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits4.9%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.2%
  6. Headlamp aim: too high3.5%
  7. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure3.5%
    11 marked dangerous
  8. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.5%
    7 marked dangerous
  9. Washers: not working2.8%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics34.0%
  2. Suspension20.1%
  3. Brakes12.5%
  4. Emissions & leaks9.7%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.3%
  6. Body & chassis8.3%
  7. Tyres6.9%
  8. Steering5.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure14.6%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine12.5%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.4%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.4%
  5. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened9.7%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: stop lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2006 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet?

In 2024, 58.3% of 2006 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet cars passed their MOT first time, across 144 tests. The average for all 18-year-old cars was 56.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2006 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet?

The most common failure reasons were stop lamp: not working; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2006 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 104, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).