2005 Smart Fortwo Coupe — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,676 MOT tests, the 2005 Smart Fortwo Coupe recorded a 71.4% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.4% of tests against 11.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 477 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 37.8% versus 22.8%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 34.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.3% in 2021 to 27.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.4% | 751 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.2% | 411 |
| 3 | Visibility | 9.1% | 336 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.4% | 310 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.5% | 237 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.2% | 190 |
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 | 477 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 261 |
| 3 | Washers | 255 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 241 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 214 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 164 |
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 | 34.5% | 1,268 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.3% | 1,077 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.3% | 931 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 535 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.0% | 442 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.0% | 405 |
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 | 228 | 22.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,163 | 26.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,573 | 29.4% |
| 90-120k | 566 | 30.9% |
| 120-150k | 84 | 29.8% |
| 150k+ | 37 | 37.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 929 | 29.3% |
| 2022 | 851 | 26.9% |
| 2023 | 739 | 29.8% |
| 2024 | 643 | 29.5% |
| 2025 | 514 | 27.2% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Fortwo Coupe
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.2% 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 2005 Smart Fortwo Coupes pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 3,676 2005 Smart Fortwo Coupe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Smart Fortwo Coupe?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.4% of tests, followed by suspension (11.2%).
Does the 2005 Fortwo Coupe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.8% in the 0-30k band to 37.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,676 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.