2009 Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd passed 78.1% of its 2,412 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 25.4% of the time, so this is 3.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.7%) and suspension (10.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, service brake performance and headlamp — coil spring alone was recorded 152 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.3% once past 90-120k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 26.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 305 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.9% | 262 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.5% | 182 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.3% | 105 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.9% | 95 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.8% | 91 |
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 | 152 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 130 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 115 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 112 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 104 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 75 |
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 | 26.4% | 637 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.3% | 634 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.5% | 325 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 7.1% | 171 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.9% | 167 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.8% | 164 |
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 | 182 | 17.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,081 | 21.4% |
| 60-90k | 890 | 22.1% |
| 90-120k | 225 | 25.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 519 | 22.0% |
| 2022 | 502 | 21.7% |
| 2023 | 496 | 22.4% |
| 2024 | 453 | 21.6% |
| 2025 | 442 | 21.7% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Fortwo Passion Mhd
On a 2009 Fortwo Passion Mhd, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.9% 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 2009 Smart Fortwo Passion Mhds pass their MOT?
78.1% of the 2,412 2009 Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.7% of tests, followed by suspension (10.9%).
Does the 2009 Fortwo Passion Mhd get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.6% in the 0-30k band to 25.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,412 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.