2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 84 Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 811 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 84 Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 77.2% was above the average for cars of a similar age (75.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 26.4% in the 90-120k group versus 19.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 120 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.3% | 75 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.6% | 62 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.1% | 41 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.3% | 35 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.1% | 33 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stop lamp | 47 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 42 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 39 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 32 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 32 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 32 |
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 | 27.3% | 221 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.2% | 188 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.7% | 127 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.1% | 66 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.3% | 59 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.5% | 53 |
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 | 81 | 19.8% |
| 30-60k | 302 | 19.9% |
| 60-90k | 289 | 24.2% |
| 90-120k | 110 | 26.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 178 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 161 | 19.9% |
| 2023 | 166 | 24.1% |
| 2024 | 157 | 22.3% |
| 2025 | 149 | 22.1% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Fortwo Passion 84 Auto
Before buying a 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 84 Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (14.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.3% 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 (7.6% 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 Passion 84 Autos pass their MOT?
77.2% of the 811 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 84 Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 84 Auto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.8% of tests, followed by suspension (9.3%).
Does the 2008 Fortwo Passion 84 Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.8% in the 0-30k band to 26.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 811 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.