2004 Smart Fortwo Coupe — MOT failures & pass rate
3,492 MOT tests on the 2004 Smart Fortwo Coupe are in this dataset, and 74.2% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2004 Fortwo Coupe comes out 1.9pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.8% of all tests — 8.2 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 431 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 19.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 29.1% once past 120-150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 35.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 26.8% in 2021 to 23.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 657 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.6% | 369 |
| 3 | Visibility | 9.1% | 318 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.2% | 251 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.2% | 250 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.3% | 149 |
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 | 431 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 314 |
| 3 | Washers | 238 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 213 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 169 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 142 |
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 | 35.8% | 1,251 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.8% | 936 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.4% | 747 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 506 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.2% | 390 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.7% | 373 |
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 | 184 | 19.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,215 | 23.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,326 | 26.2% |
| 90-120k | 557 | 28.7% |
| 120-150k | 151 | 29.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 880 | 26.8% |
| 2022 | 795 | 25.4% |
| 2023 | 725 | 26.5% |
| 2024 | 593 | 25.8% |
| 2025 | 499 | 23.4% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Fortwo Coupe
On a 2004 Fortwo Coupe, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.6% 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 (9.1% 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.
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 Fortwo Coupes pass their MOT?
74.2% of the 3,492 2004 Smart Fortwo Coupe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Smart Fortwo Coupe?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.8% of tests, followed by suspension (10.6%).
Does the 2004 Fortwo Coupe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.6% in the 0-30k band to 29.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,492 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.