2012 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet · 1,255 MOT tests
2012 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet reliability
2012 Smart Fortwo Cabriolets fail 23.4% of first MOT tests, 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 5 Fortwo Cabriolet years (1,255 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Smart Fortwo Cabriolets: 33.5%)
- 23.4%
- first-time fail rate (all Smart Fortwo Cabriolets: 33.5%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 13% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 48,291
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,255
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does better)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 2.7% of tests fail here (31% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: suspension, 35% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics8.6%
- Brakes6.4%
- Tyres6.2%
- Suspension5.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.7%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.7%
- Body, chassis and structure2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.67%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.47%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.39%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Service brake excessively binding 2.07%
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
Position lamp not working 1.67%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Stop lamp not working 1.59%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (10.84%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (8.29%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.97%) · Brake pads wearing thin (5.34%) · Service brake slightly binding (2.87%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (1.99%)
Other years
Every Smart Fortwo Cabriolet year
The full picture: Smart Fortwo Cabriolet reliability. Before you pay for any Smart Fortwo Cabriolet, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2012 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet reliable?
2012 Smart Fortwo Cabriolets fail 23.4% of first MOT tests, 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 5 Fortwo Cabriolet years (1,255 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (3.67% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.47% of tests), dipped beam headlamp not working (2.39% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet shows 48,291 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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