2012 · 12 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2012 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet MOT pass rate and common faults

347 MOT tests in 2024. 73.8% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

115Well above average
Passed first time73.8%
Failed or needed repairs26.2%
Typical mileage at test51,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 347 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.2%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.7%
    22 marked dangerous
  3. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.9%
  4. Stop lamp: not working2.0%
  5. Position lamp: not working2.0%
  6. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits1.7%
  7. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.7%
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
    5 marked dangerous
  9. Engine mounting condition: damaged or deteriorated resulting in excessive movement1.2%
  10. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
    4 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics13.5%
  2. Brakes10.1%
  3. Tyres7.5%
  4. Suspension7.2%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.9%
  6. Emissions & leaks3.2%
  7. Body & chassis2.6%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded13.3%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.8%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.0%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick5.2%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding4.3%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2011 Fortwo CabrioletAll Fortwo Cabriolet years

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet?

In 2024, 73.8% of 2012 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet cars passed their MOT first time, across 347 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; service brake performance: excessively binding. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2012 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 115, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).