2002 Smart Fortwo Coupe — MOT failures & pass rate
515 MOT tests on the 2002 Smart Fortwo Coupe are in this dataset, and 73.8% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.5% of the time, so this is 1.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.9% of all tests — 8.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 47 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 26.5% versus 9.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 30.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 22.1% in 2021 to 19.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.9% | 92 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.5% | 49 |
| 3 | Visibility | 8.5% | 44 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.3% | 43 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.0% | 41 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.2% | 27 |
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 | 47 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 45 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 39 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 39 |
| 5 | Washers | 34 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 27 |
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 | 30.3% | 156 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.9% | 149 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 94 |
| 4 | Tyres | 17.9% | 92 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.8% | 71 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.9% | 51 |
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 | 31 | 9.7% |
| 30-60k | 179 | 25.7% |
| 60-90k | 201 | 29.8% |
| 90-120k | 83 | 26.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 127 | 22.1% |
| 2022 | 129 | 29.5% |
| 2023 | 105 | 27.6% |
| 2024 | 92 | 30.4% |
| 2025 | 62 | 19.4% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Fortwo Coupe
On a 2002 Fortwo Coupe, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.5% 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 (8.5% 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 2002 Smart Fortwo Coupes pass their MOT?
73.8% of the 515 2002 Smart Fortwo Coupe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Smart Fortwo Coupe?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.9% of tests, followed by suspension (9.5%).
Does the 2002 Fortwo Coupe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.7% in the 0-30k band to 26.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 515 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.