2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe — MOT failures & pass rate
20,281 MOT tests on the 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe are in this dataset, and 76.8% of them passed. That is 3.1 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.9% of all tests — 4.6 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, headlamp aim and position lamp — coil spring alone was recorded 1,157 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.4% in the 0-30k band and 29.8% in the 150k+ band, a 13.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 27.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 3,018 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.3% | 2,079 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.8% | 1,578 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 992 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 964 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.3% | 867 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 1,157 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,044 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 983 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 970 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 894 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 865 |
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 | 27.6% | 5,595 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.3% | 4,724 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.6% | 3,359 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.3% | 1,692 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.5% | 1,315 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 994 |
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 | 1,302 | 16.4% |
| 30-60k | 7,392 | 21.6% |
| 60-90k | 7,930 | 24.3% |
| 90-120k | 2,921 | 26.2% |
| 120-150k | 603 | 27.2% |
| 150k+ | 124 | 29.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 20,251 | 23.2% |
| Diesel | 30 | 23.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,335 | 23.3% |
| 2022 | 4,286 | 23.2% |
| 2023 | 4,102 | 23.4% |
| 2024 | 3,895 | 23.0% |
| 2025 | 3,663 | 23.1% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Fortwo Coupe
On a 2008 Fortwo Coupe, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.3% 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.
- Brakes (7.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupes pass their MOT?
76.8% of the 20,281 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.9% of tests, followed by suspension (10.3%).
Does the 2008 Fortwo Coupe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.4% in the 0-30k band to 29.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 20,281 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.