Smart Eq Fortwo Prime Exclusive MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 4 model years and 1,214 tests, the Smart Eq Fortwo Prime Exclusive passes its MOT 95.0% of the time. Against all cars of a similar age (9.0% fail rate), the Eq Fortwo Prime Exclusive comes out 4.0pp better. Its most common failure areas are visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (3.1%) and tyres (2.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and size/type — wipers alone was recorded 44 times.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 10.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every Eq Fortwo Prime Exclusive model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 731 | 94.0% | 6.0% | Visibility |
| 2021 | 310 | 95.5% | 4.5% | Tyres |
| 2022 | 166 | 98.2% | 1.8% | Tyres |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 3.1% | 38 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.6% | 32 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 11 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.5% | 6 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.3% | 3 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.2% | 2 |
| 7 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.1% | 1 |
| 8 | Steering | 0.1% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 44 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 3 | Size/type | 7 |
| 4 | Washers | 4 |
| 5 | Headlamp levelling device | 3 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 3 |
| 7 | Tread depth | 3 |
| 8 | Brake discs | 3 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 10.5% | 127 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.7% | 81 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.5% | 31 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.7% | 21 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 8 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.3% | 3 |
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 | 1,172 | 4.6% |
| 30-60k | 38 | 15.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 244 | 4.1% |
| 2024 | 390 | 5.6% |
| 2025 | 572 | 5.1% |
What to check before buying a Smart Eq Fortwo Prime Exclusive
- Visibility (3.1% 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.
- Tyres (2.6% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (0.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Smart Eq Fortwo Prime Exclusive?
95.0% of the 1,214 Smart Eq Fortwo Prime Exclusive MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 5.0% fail rate, across model years 2020–2023.
What does the Smart Eq Fortwo Prime Exclusive most often fail its MOT on?
Visibility, recorded in 3.1% of tests, then tyres (2.6%).
Methodology & source. Based on 1,214 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.