Smart: MOT pass rate and reliability

Smart vehicles pass the MOT first time 77.6% of the time, measured across 87,442 DVSA tests. That is 0.6 points better than the 77% national average, ranking Smart 28 of 50 major brands sold in the UK.

Looking at a written-off Smart rather than a roadworthy one? The median recorded closing bid for a damaged Smart was £550, from 23 ended listings across every Smart model. These bids are not independently confirmed sales.

Bidding on a damaged Smart at Copart? Run the lot through the salvage profit analyzer for the repair cost, fees, VAT and your maximum bid. Buying a used Smart, damaged or not? Run its registration through the free vehicle history check first: these are brand averages, that page checks the exact car.

Every brand ranked

1. Ferrari - 95.9%
2. LEVC - 95.4%
3. Aston Martin - 93.2%
4. Bentley - 92.5%
5. Porsche - 88.7%
6. Lexus - 87.7%
7. Tesla - 84.8%
8. Maserati - 84.3%
9. MG - 83.9%
10. BMW - 82.5%
11. Jaguar - 81.9%
12. Abarth - 81.8%
13. Audi - 81.6%
14. MINI - 81.6%
15. Toyota - 81.3%
16. Land Rover - 80.6%
17. Skoda - 80.6%
18. Mercedes-Benz - 79.9%
19. Suzuki - 79.5%
20. Kia - 78.9%
21. Hyundai - 78.8%
22. SEAT - 78.7%
23. Subaru - 78.6%
24. Honda - 78.3%
25. Dacia - 78.3%
26. Volvo - 78.2%
27. Jeep - 78%
28. Smart - 77.6%
29. Volkswagen - 77.1%
30. Mazda - 77%
31. Mitsubishi - 76.9%
32. DS - 76.2%
33. London Taxis International - 75.5%
34. Ford - 74.8%
35. Isuzu - 73.7%
36. Nissan - 73.4%
37. Peugeot - 73.2%
38. Fiat - 73%
39. Ssangyong - 73%
40. Vauxhall - 72.4%
41. Alfa Romeo - 72.4%
42. Citroen - 70.8%
43. Iveco - 70.2%
44. Rover - 70.2%
45. Saab - 69.1%
46. Renault - 68.1%
47. Chrysler - 67.2%
48. Daihatsu - 67.1%
49. Chrysler-Jeep - 67%
50. Chevrolet - 62.8%

Smart models

• Smart (Mcc) Forfour - 78.6%, 22,828 tests
• Smart (Mcc) Fortwo - 84.5%, 22,759 tests
• Smart (Mcc) Fortwo Coupe - 70.9%, 18,413 tests
• Smart (Mcc) City Coupe - 66.3%, 4,269 tests
• Smart (Mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet - 72.8%, 4,086 tests
• Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto - 75.9%, 2,794 tests
• Smart Roadster 80 Auto(Rhd) - 72.3%, 912 tests
• Smart (Mcc) Roadster - 74.8%, 810 tests
• Smart (Mcc) Cabriolet - 71.5%, 786 tests
• Smart Fortwo Pulse Mhd Auto - 76.1%, 679 tests
• Smart (Mcc) City Cabriolet - 66.1%, 658 tests
• Smart City Passion 61 Auto - 67.5%, 590 tests

Most common MOT failures across every Smart

Pooled across all Smart models, not just one: what actually fails on a Smart more than the UK average.

1. Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer, 2% of tests (3.86x the national rate for this defect)
2. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 1.6% of tests (1.57x the national rate for this defect)
3. Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 2% of tests (1.48x the national rate for this defect)
4. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3.2% of tests (1.37x the national rate for this defect)
5. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 3% of tests (1.33x the national rate for this defect)
6. Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 2.4% of tests (1.28x the national rate for this defect)
7. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 1.3% of tests (1.24x the national rate for this defect)
8. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 1.5% of tests (1.21x the national rate for this defect)
9. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 4.2% of tests
10. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 3.5% of tests

From 74,747 DVSA-tracked Smart tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 5.3% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories across every Smart

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. Pooled across all Smart models, this is a different list from the failures above.

1. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 2.2% of tests (1.58x the national rate for this advisory)
2. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 8.7% of tests (1.4x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
3. A tyre seriously damaged, 20.8% of tests (1.35x the national rate for this advisory)
4. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 22.6% of tests, also fails
5. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 9.6% of tests
6. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 7.8% of tests, also fails
7. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 6% of tests
8. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 4.1% of tests
9. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 3.3% of tests, also fails
10. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 3.2% of tests

From 74,747 DVSA-tracked Smart tests, 2024.

More on brand reliability

• Britain's most and least reliable car brands: MOT pass rate by manufacturer
• Which car brands beat their age on the MOT test? 33 million tests, ranked
• The cheapest, most reliable makes to buy at salvage auction

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