2010 Smart City Coupe — MOT failures & pass rate
537 MOT tests on the 2010 Smart City Coupe are in this dataset, and 76.5% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (24.4% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.6%) and suspension (12.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, position lamp and service brake performance — coil spring alone was recorded 32 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.8% in the 0-30k band and 27.9% in the 90-120k band, a 18.2-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 25.5% 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 | 13.6% | 73 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.3% | 66 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.6% | 46 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.4% | 40 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.3% | 23 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.3% | 23 |
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 | 32 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 30 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 29 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 29 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 28 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 26 |
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 | 25.5% | 137 |
| 2 | Tyres | 21.4% | 115 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.8% | 69 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.2% | 44 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.1% | 38 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.2% | 33 |
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 | 41 | 9.8% |
| 30-60k | 206 | 22.8% |
| 60-90k | 210 | 24.3% |
| 90-120k | 68 | 27.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 399 | 24.3% |
| Diesel | 138 | 21.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 115 | 26.1% |
| 2022 | 114 | 23.7% |
| 2023 | 105 | 18.1% |
| 2024 | 97 | 22.7% |
| 2025 | 106 | 26.4% |
What to check before buying a 2010 City Coupe
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.3% 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 (8.6% 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 City Coupes pass their MOT?
76.5% of the 537 2010 Smart City Coupe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Smart City Coupe?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.6% of tests, followed by suspension (12.3%).
Does the 2010 City Coupe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.8% in the 0-30k band to 27.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 537 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.