2010 Smart Cabriolet — MOT failures & pass rate
318 MOT tests on the 2010 Smart Cabriolet are in this dataset, and 79.6% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 24.3% of the time, so this is 3.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.7%) and suspension (10.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, service brake performance and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 24 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2010 Cabriolet fails 17.5% of the time in the 0-30k band and 17.9% at 60-90k, a spread of only 0.4 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.7% | 34 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.4% | 33 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.5% | 27 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.5% | 11 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.9% | 6 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 6 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 24 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 21 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 18 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 11 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 11 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 10 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 26.1% | 83 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.1% | 64 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.4% | 30 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 6.9% | 22 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.7% | 18 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.1% | 13 |
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 | 40 | 17.5% |
| 30-60k | 129 | 21.7% |
| 60-90k | 123 | 17.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 279 | 21.1% |
| Diesel | 39 | 15.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 63 | 19.1% |
| 2022 | 74 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 63 | 19.1% |
| 2024 | 63 | 17.5% |
| 2025 | 55 | 18.2% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Cabriolet
On a 2010 Cabriolet, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.4% 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 (8.5% 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
How many 2010 Smart Cabriolets pass their MOT?
79.6% of the 318 2010 Smart Cabriolet MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Smart Cabriolet?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.7% of tests, followed by suspension (10.4%).
Does the 2010 Cabriolet get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.5% in the 0-30k band to 17.9% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 318 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.