2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Smart Fortwo Coupe MOT pass rate and common faults

408 MOT tests in 2024. 57.6% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

102Above average
Passed first time57.6%
Failed or needed repairs42.4%
Typical mileage at test66,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 408 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid6.4%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect6.1%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.7%
  4. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits4.2%
  5. Stop lamp: not working3.9%
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.2%
  7. Position lamp: not working3.2%
  8. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
    18 marked dangerous
  9. Horn: not working2.7%
  10. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics40.9%
  2. Suspension19.9%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)14.2%
  4. Emissions & leaks12.0%
  5. Brakes9.8%
  6. Tyres7.4%
  7. Body & chassis5.4%
  8. Steering3.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded18.6%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.7%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine11.5%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.8%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.5%

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: washers: provides insufficient washer liquid. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2003 Fortwo CoupeAll Fortwo Coupe years2005 Fortwo Coupe →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Smart Fortwo Coupe?

In 2024, 57.6% of 2004 Smart Fortwo Coupe cars passed their MOT first time, across 408 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Smart Fortwo Coupe?

The most common failure reasons were washers: provides insufficient washer liquid; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Smart Fortwo Coupe reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 102, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).