2012 Smart Fortwo Coupe · 4,988 MOT tests
2012 Smart Fortwo Coupe reliability
2012 Smart Fortwo Coupes fail 27% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 9 Fortwo Coupe years (4,988 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Smart Fortwo Coupes: 34.8%)
- 27%
- first-time fail rate (all Smart Fortwo Coupes: 34.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 2% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 49,847
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 4,988
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: about average for its age (the 2012 car does better)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 3.9% of tests fail here (79% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: suspension, 44% 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 Coupe
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics10.3%
- Brakes7.9%
- Tyres5.2%
- Suspension4.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.9%
- Body, chassis and structure2.3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.87%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.79%
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 2.71%
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.13%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.96%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Position lamp not working 1.96%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (11.05%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (9.04%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.36%) · Brake pads wearing thin (4.49%) · Service brake slightly binding (2.99%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (2.63%)
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 2012 Smart Fortwo Coupe reliable?
2012 Smart Fortwo Coupes fail 27% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 9 Fortwo Coupe years (4,988 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Smart Fortwo Coupe MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (2.87% of tests), dipped beam headlamp not working (2.79% of tests), service brake excessively binding (2.71% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Smart Fortwo Coupe have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Smart Fortwo Coupe shows 49,847 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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