2002 Smart Cabriolet — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Smart Cabriolet passed 72.8% of its 477 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.5% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.8% of tests against 11.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and stop lamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 69 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 33.8% once past 90-120k — 5.4× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 28.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 80 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 11.1% | 53 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.7% | 51 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.9% | 33 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.3% | 30 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.7% | 27 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 69 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 57 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 33 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 28 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 24 |
| 6 | Washers | 21 |
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 | 28.3% | 135 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.6% | 127 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.5% | 117 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 18.0% | 86 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 74 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 30 |
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 | 32 | 6.3% |
| 30-60k | 118 | 18.6% |
| 60-90k | 207 | 29.9% |
| 90-120k | 74 | 33.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 122 | 27.9% |
| 2022 | 110 | 25.4% |
| 2023 | 95 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 80 | 26.3% |
| 2025 | 70 | 28.6% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Cabriolet
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (11.1% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (10.7% 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.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2002 Smart Cabriolets pass their MOT?
72.8% of the 477 2002 Smart Cabriolet MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Smart Cabriolet?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.8% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (11.1%).
Does the 2002 Cabriolet get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.3% in the 0-30k band to 33.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 477 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.