2007 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 789 MOT tests, the 2007 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 recorded a 77.6% pass rate. That is 4.5 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.3% of tests against 10.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and coil spring — headlamp alone was recorded 57 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.1% in the 0-30k band and 22.7% in the 90-120k band, a 6.6-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 27.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 17.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 144 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.0% | 79 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.5% | 59 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.2% | 49 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.2% | 41 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.9% | 31 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 57 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 55 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 49 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 45 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 41 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 36 |
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 | 27.4% | 216 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.9% | 189 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.0% | 126 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 69 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.5% | 51 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.2% | 49 |
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 | 56 | 16.1% |
| 30-60k | 227 | 20.3% |
| 60-90k | 359 | 24.2% |
| 90-120k | 119 | 22.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 158 | 17.7% |
| 2022 | 162 | 19.1% |
| 2023 | 158 | 22.1% |
| 2024 | 160 | 27.5% |
| 2025 | 151 | 25.8% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Fortwo Passion 71
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.0% 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 (7.5% 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 2007 Smart Fortwo Passion 71s pass their MOT?
77.6% of the 789 2007 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Smart Fortwo Passion 71?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.3% of tests, followed by suspension (10.0%).
Does the 2007 Fortwo Passion 71 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.1% in the 0-30k band to 22.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 789 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.