2004 Smart City Pulse 61 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 336 MOT tests, the 2004 Smart City Pulse 61 recorded a 72.9% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.7% 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 25.0% of tests against 10.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 55 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 29.4% versus 21.9%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 32.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 26.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 32.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 25.0% | 84 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.1% | 34 |
| 3 | Visibility | 8.0% | 27 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.4% | 25 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.7% | 19 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.4% | 18 |
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 | 55 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 33 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 22 |
| 4 | Washers | 21 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 19 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 15 |
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 | 32.1% | 108 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.6% | 96 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.1% | 64 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 49 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 10.1% | 34 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 25 |
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 | 119 | 21.9% |
| 60-90k | 139 | 30.2% |
| 90-120k | 51 | 29.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88 | 26.1% |
| 2022 | 77 | 26.0% |
| 2023 | 65 | 26.2% |
| 2024 | 56 | 26.8% |
| 2025 | 50 | 32.0% |
What to check before buying a 2004 City Pulse 61
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 25.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (25.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.1% 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 (8.0% 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 2004 Smart City Pulse 61s pass their MOT?
72.9% of the 336 2004 Smart City Pulse 61 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Smart City Pulse 61?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 25.0% of tests, followed by suspension (10.1%).
Does the 2004 City Pulse 61 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.9% in the 30-60k band to 29.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 336 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.