Smart Cabriolet MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 17 model years and 5,364 tests, the Smart Cabriolet passes its MOT 76.4% of the time. All cars of a similar age fail 26.4% of the time, so this is 2.9pp better than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.6% of tests against 8.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 464 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.8% in the 0-30k band and 26.1% in the 150k+ band, a 10.3-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 28.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every Cabriolet model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 98 | 81.6% | 18.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2002 | 477 | 72.8% | 27.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2003 | 996 | 76.1% | 23.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2004 | 635 | 74.2% | 25.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2005 | 564 | 74.7% | 25.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2006 | 448 | 73.0% | 27.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2007 | 293 | 77.5% | 22.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2008 | 437 | 75.3% | 24.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2009 | 391 | 79.3% | 20.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2010 | 318 | 79.6% | 20.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2011 | 380 | 83.2% | 16.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2012 | 267 | 80.5% | 19.5% | Brakes |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 838 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.9% | 479 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.2% | 389 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.5% | 351 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.9% | 319 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.7% | 252 |
| 7 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.7% | 198 |
| 8 | Steering | 1.3% | 67 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 464 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 319 |
| 3 | Washers | 271 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 256 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 234 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 221 |
| 7 | Position lamp | 192 |
| 8 | Service brake performance | 167 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 28.8% | 1,544 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.6% | 1,266 |
| 3 | Suspension | 19.0% | 1,020 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 594 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.5% | 455 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.4% | 343 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 424 | 15.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,863 | 20.8% |
| 60-90k | 2,138 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 728 | 27.3% |
| 120-150k | 147 | 32.0% |
| 150k+ | 46 | 26.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 5,180 | 23.5% |
| Diesel | 184 | 23.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,262 | 24.2% |
| 2022 | 1,190 | 23.7% |
| 2023 | 1,093 | 23.7% |
| 2024 | 966 | 22.8% |
| 2025 | 853 | 23.1% |
What to check before buying a Smart Cabriolet
- Lighting & signalling (15.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (7.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Smart Cabriolet?
76.4% of the 5,364 Smart Cabriolet MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 23.5% fail rate, across model years 1998–2014.
What does the Smart Cabriolet most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.6% of tests, then suspension (8.9%).
How much does mileage affect Cabriolet MOT results?
Fail rates run at 15.8% for cars in the 0-30k band and 26.1% for 150k+, a 10.3-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,364 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.