2006 Smart City Passion 61 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,043 MOT tests, the 2006 Smart City Passion 61 recorded a 73.3% pass rate. 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 19.3% of tests against 11.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, washers and stop lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 112 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 34.6% versus 20.5%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 25.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.3% | 201 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.4% | 119 |
| 3 | Visibility | 9.0% | 94 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.7% | 70 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 48 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.4% | 46 |
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 | 112 |
| 2 | Washers | 71 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 67 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 59 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 54 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 42 |
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 | 25.7% | 268 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.1% | 241 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.7% | 226 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.2% | 127 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.0% | 115 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.1% | 105 |
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 | 83 | 20.5% |
| 30-60k | 379 | 24.5% |
| 60-90k | 433 | 27.7% |
| 90-120k | 136 | 34.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 240 | 27.1% |
| 2022 | 241 | 26.6% |
| 2023 | 210 | 25.7% |
| 2024 | 185 | 25.9% |
| 2025 | 167 | 28.7% |
What to check before buying a 2006 City Passion 61
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.4% 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.
- Visibility (9.0% 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 City Passion 61s pass their MOT?
73.3% of the 1,043 2006 Smart City Passion 61 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Smart City Passion 61?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.3% of tests, followed by suspension (11.4%).
Does the 2006 City Passion 61 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.5% in the 0-30k band to 34.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,043 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.