Smart Eq Fortwo Pulse MOT pass rate & common failures
The Smart Eq Fortwo Pulse appears in 1,026 MOT tests spanning model years 2020–2023, and 94.0% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 9.0% of the time, so this is 3.0pp better than the group it competes with. 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 (3.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, washers and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 30 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 9.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
By model year
Every Eq Fortwo Pulse model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 642 | 93.5% | 6.5% | Visibility |
| 2021 | 177 | 93.8% | 6.2% | Tyres |
| 2022 | 197 | 95.9% | 4.1% | Tyres |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 3.1% | 32 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.0% | 31 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 20 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.1% | 11 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.7% | 7 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.2% | 2 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.1% | 1 |
| 8 | Body, structure & corrosion | 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 | 30 |
| 2 | Washers | 10 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 4 | Size/type | 5 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 5 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 5 |
| 7 | Horn | 4 |
| 8 | Stop lamp | 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 | 9.9% | 102 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.9% | 81 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.8% | 39 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.8% | 19 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.5% | 5 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.4% | 4 |
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 | 982 | 5.5% |
| 30-60k | 42 | 16.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 208 | 3.9% |
| 2024 | 316 | 8.5% |
| 2025 | 499 | 5.2% |
What to check before buying a Smart Eq Fortwo Pulse
- 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 (3.0% 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 (1.9% 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 Pulse?
94.0% of the 1,026 Smart Eq Fortwo Pulse MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 5.9% fail rate, across model years 2020–2023.
What does the Smart Eq Fortwo Pulse most often fail its MOT on?
Visibility, recorded in 3.1% of tests, then tyres (3.0%).
Methodology & source. Based on 1,026 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.