2006 Smart Fortwo Coupe — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,731 MOT tests, the 2006 Smart Fortwo Coupe recorded a 74.4% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.3% fail rate), the 2006 Fortwo Coupe comes out 1.7pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.3% of all tests — 8.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and stop lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 530 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 30.1% once past 120-150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 28.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.3% | 911 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.4% | 492 |
| 3 | Visibility | 8.0% | 380 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.7% | 317 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 219 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.5% | 211 |
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 | 530 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 323 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 300 |
| 4 | Washers | 275 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 214 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 192 |
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 | 28.1% | 1,329 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.8% | 1,221 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.0% | 1,089 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.8% | 560 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.8% | 465 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.8% | 464 |
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 | 355 | 20.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,826 | 24.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,813 | 27.0% |
| 90-120k | 574 | 27.2% |
| 120-150k | 113 | 30.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,104 | 25.4% |
| 2022 | 1,046 | 24.6% |
| 2023 | 923 | 23.1% |
| 2024 | 859 | 26.9% |
| 2025 | 799 | 28.9% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Fortwo Coupe
On a 2006 Fortwo Coupe, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.4% 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 (8.0% 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 2006 Smart Fortwo Coupes pass their MOT?
74.4% of the 4,731 2006 Smart Fortwo Coupe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Smart Fortwo Coupe?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.3% of tests, followed by suspension (10.4%).
Does the 2006 Fortwo Coupe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.8% in the 0-30k band to 30.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,731 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.