2006 · 18 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2006 Smart Fortwo MOT pass rate and common faults

115 MOT tests in 2024. 63.5% passed first time, compared with 56.1% for all cars the same age.

113Well above average
Passed first time63.5%
Failed or needed repairs36.5%
Typical mileage at test67,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 115 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect9.6%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.2%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.2%
  4. Washers: not working4.3%
  5. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam4.3%
  6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid3.5%
  7. Fuel cap/sealing device: ineffective3.5%
  8. Headlamp aim: too high2.6%
  9. Stop lamp: not working2.6%
  10. Position lamp: not working2.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics40.0%
  2. Suspension21.7%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)12.2%
  4. Brakes7.8%
  5. Tyres6.1%
  6. Body & chassis5.2%
  7. Emissions & leaks4.3%
  8. Steering3.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine13.9%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12.2%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded11.3%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened10.4%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.7%

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: headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All Fortwo years2007 Fortwo →

Questions

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

In 2024, 63.5% of 2006 Smart Fortwo cars passed their MOT first time, across 115 tests. The average for all 18-year-old cars was 56.1%.

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

The most common failure reasons were headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2006 Smart Fortwo reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 113, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).