2008 · 16 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe MOT pass rate and common faults

2,965 MOT tests in 2024. 61.8% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

109Well above average
Passed first time61.8%
Failed or needed repairs38.2%
Typical mileage at test67,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,965 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.4%
  2. Service brake performance: excessively binding4.1%
  3. Position lamp: not working3.8%
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.5%
  5. Stop lamp: not working3.0%
  6. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.9%
  7. Fuel cap/sealing device: ineffective2.8%
  8. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.6%
  9. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.1%
  10. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
    93 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics28.2%
  2. Suspension15.3%
  3. Brakes15.0%
  4. Emissions & leaks7.3%
  5. Body & chassis6.5%
  6. Tyres6.0%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.8%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded17.0%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure12.5%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.7%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick5.5%
  5. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened5.2%

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.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe?

In 2024, 61.8% of 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,965 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; service brake performance: excessively binding; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 109, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).