2006 Smart Cabriolet — MOT failures & pass rate
448 MOT tests on the 2006 Smart Cabriolet are in this dataset, and 73.0% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.6% of tests against 10.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, washers and catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 56 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 23.9% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 33.3% once past 90-120k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 32.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.8% in 2021 to 21.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.6% | 79 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.0% | 45 |
| 3 | Visibility | 9.8% | 44 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.3% | 37 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.6% | 34 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.2% | 19 |
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 | 56 |
| 2 | Washers | 39 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 34 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 23 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 22 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 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 | 32.4% | 145 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.9% | 116 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.9% | 98 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 54 |
| 5 | Steering | 9.2% | 41 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.6% | 34 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 180 | 23.9% |
| 60-90k | 200 | 29.5% |
| 90-120k | 45 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 107 | 30.8% |
| 2022 | 107 | 28.0% |
| 2023 | 93 | 29.0% |
| 2024 | 76 | 22.4% |
| 2025 | 65 | 21.5% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Cabriolet
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.0% 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.
- Visibility (9.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2006 Smart Cabriolets pass their MOT?
73.0% of the 448 2006 Smart Cabriolet MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Smart Cabriolet?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.6% of tests, followed by suspension (10.0%).
Does the 2006 Cabriolet get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.9% in the 30-60k band to 33.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 448 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.