2005 Smart Fortwo Coupe · 1,762 MOT tests
2005 Smart Fortwo Coupe reliability
2005 Smart Fortwo Coupes fail 44.4% of first MOT tests, 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 9 of 9 Fortwo Coupe years (1,762 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Smart Fortwo Coupes: 34.8%)
- 44.4%
- first-time fail rate (all Smart Fortwo Coupes: 34.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 15% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- 68,663
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,762
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- 2006 cars: 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- Weak spot: windscreen, wipers and mirrors, 12.4% of tests fail here (77% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 25% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 Smart Fortwo Coupe
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics27%
- Suspension14%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors12.4%
- Brakes11.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks8.7%
- Tyres6.9%
- Body, chassis and structure5.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 6.81%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Stop lamp not working 6.13%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 5.05%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Lambda reading outside specified limits 4.48%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.43%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Position lamp not working 3.97%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (13.11%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (11.07%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.99%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (9.93%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (9.76%) · Flexible brake hose slightly deteriorated (7.6%)
Other years
Every Smart Fortwo Coupe year
The full picture: Smart Fortwo Coupe reliability. Before you pay for any Smart Fortwo Coupe, 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 2005 Smart Fortwo Coupe reliable?
2005 Smart Fortwo Coupes fail 44.4% of first MOT tests, 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 9 of 9 Fortwo Coupe years (1,762 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 Smart Fortwo Coupe MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (6.81% of tests), stop lamp not working (6.13% of tests), windscreen washer fluid insufficient (5.05% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 Smart Fortwo Coupe have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2005 Smart Fortwo Coupe shows 68,663 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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