2007 Smart City Coupe — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,277 MOT tests, the 2007 Smart City Coupe recorded a 72.6% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (26.9% 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 19.9% of tests against 11.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 380 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2007 City Coupe fails 21.7% of the time in the 0-30k band and 22.4% at 120-150k, a spread of only 0.6 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 26.3% 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 | 19.9% | 652 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.6% | 380 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.9% | 260 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.3% | 206 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.9% | 161 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 152 |
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 | 380 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 239 |
| 3 | Washers | 205 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 200 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 198 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 141 |
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 | 26.3% | 863 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.7% | 841 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.1% | 726 |
| 4 | Other defects | 15.2% | 497 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.1% | 298 |
| 6 | Steering | 9.1% | 297 |
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 | 184 | 21.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,285 | 24.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,302 | 30.5% |
| 90-120k | 402 | 28.1% |
| 120-150k | 67 | 22.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 755 | 28.1% |
| 2022 | 712 | 26.5% |
| 2023 | 680 | 27.8% |
| 2024 | 599 | 27.2% |
| 2025 | 531 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 2007 City Coupe
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.6% 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 (7.9% 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 2007 Smart City Coupes pass their MOT?
72.6% of the 3,277 2007 Smart City Coupe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Smart City Coupe?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.9% of tests, followed by suspension (11.6%).
Does the 2007 City Coupe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.7% in the 0-30k band to 22.4% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,277 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.