2006 Smart City — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 679 MOT tests, the 2006 Smart City recorded a 73.8% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.4% of the time, so this is 1.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.9% of tests against 12.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, washers and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 83 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 30.1% once past 90-120k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 32.6% 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 | 16.9% | 115 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.5% | 85 |
| 3 | Visibility | 8.8% | 60 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.9% | 47 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.3% | 29 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.1% | 28 |
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 | 83 |
| 2 | Washers | 43 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 39 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 37 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 34 |
| 6 | Wipers | 31 |
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 | 32.6% | 221 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.9% | 176 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.6% | 174 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 101 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.1% | 82 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.6% | 45 |
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 | 50 | 18.0% |
| 30-60k | 282 | 25.2% |
| 60-90k | 249 | 27.7% |
| 90-120k | 73 | 30.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 154 | 26.6% |
| 2022 | 140 | 25.0% |
| 2023 | 147 | 27.2% |
| 2024 | 129 | 25.6% |
| 2025 | 109 | 26.6% |
What to check before buying a 2006 City
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.5% 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 (8.8% 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 Citys pass their MOT?
73.8% of the 679 2006 Smart City MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Smart City?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.9% of tests, followed by suspension (12.5%).
Does the 2006 City get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.0% in the 0-30k band to 30.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 679 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.