City car · 1999–2020 cars
Smart Fortwo reliability
The Smart Fortwo fails 20.8% of first MOT tests, 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 102,211 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Smart Fortwo before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 20.8%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 7% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 102,211
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 4,800
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Smart Fortwo ages
Each point is the share of Smart Fortwos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Smart Fortwo | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 11.4% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 12.6% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 15.5% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 16.9% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 19.4% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 22.4% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 22.7% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 25.6% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 28.2% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 32.1% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 35.4% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 35% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 36.4% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 39.8% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 38.1% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 33.1% | 43.5% |
By year
The best and worst Smart Fortwo years
2008 cars come out best and 2016 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Fortwo | 5,761 | 11.2% | 3% more fails | 17,624 |
| 2018 Fortwo | 12,348 | 13.9% | 14% more fails | 21,289 |
| 2017 Fortwo | 17,178 | 16.5% | 16% more fails | 26,365 |
| 2016 Fortwo | 20,041 | 19.1% | 16% more fails | 31,600 |
| 2015 Fortwo | 7,547 | 20.2% | 7% more fails | 36,361 |
| 2014 Fortwo | 13,227 | 21.5% | 1% fewer fails | 39,846 |
| 2013 Fortwo | 11,085 | 25.6% | 8% more fails | 43,113 |
| 2012 Fortwo | 2,647 | 27.1% | 0% fewer fails | 49,580 |
| 2011 Fortwo | 2,364 | 30.9% | 2% more fails | 56,680 |
| 2010 Fortwo | 2,794 | 33.9% | 1% more fails | 61,364 |
| 2009 Fortwo | 2,684 | 35.2% | 1% more fails | 63,470 |
| 2008 Fortwo | 2,383 | 35.5% | 4% fewer fails | 69,181 |
| 2007 | 946 | 41.9% | 10% more fails | 70,376 |
| 2006 | 490 | 37.1% | 3% fewer fails | 67,084 |
| 2005 | 330 | 40.6% | 8% more fails | 65,438 |
| 2004 | 245 | 34.7% | 13% fewer fails | 72,277 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Smart Fortwo
Its weak spot is exhaust, emissions and leaks: 102% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics7.3%20% above avg
- Tyres5%6% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5%36% above avg
- Brakes4.5%22% above avg
- Suspension3.3%31% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.9%102% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.4%6% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.4%65% above avg
- Steering0.2%81% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.45% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Stop lamp not working 1.78% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.63% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.37% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 5
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.35% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 6
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.27% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 7
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.08% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 8
Position lamp not working 0.95% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Smart Fortwo's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit9.45%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.33%
- Brake pads wearing thin4.74%
- Brake disc pitted or scored4.29%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy3%
- Brake discs showing some wear1.76%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Smart Fortwo
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Smart Fortwo covers about 4,800 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol93.8%
- Diesel3.4%
- Electric2.9%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Black, White, Silver, Grey, Red
Average engine size: 1.0 litres.
Compare
How the Smart Fortwo compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Celerio | 14.6% | 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Viva | 15.6% | about average for its age |
| Smart Fortwo | 20.8% | 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Agila | 37.4% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Fox | 47.2% | 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Smart Forfour | 25.6% | 30% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Twingo | 36.6% | 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Smart models.
Questions
Smart Fortwo questions, answered
Is the Smart Fortwo reliable?
On MOT results, the Smart Fortwo is about average: it fails 20.8% of first MOT tests, 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 16 of 43 city car models in our index.
What fails most on a Smart Fortwo MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Smart Fortwo are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.45% of tests), stop lamp not working (1.78% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.63% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 7.3% of its tests.
Which Smart Fortwo year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2008 cars do best (4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2016 cars do worst (16% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Smart Fortwo do a year?
A typical Smart Fortwo covers about 4,800 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Smart Fortwo before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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