2011 Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2011 Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd passed 81.2% of its 2,479 recorded MOT tests. That is 4.4 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 23.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.6% of tests against 6.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, coil spring and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 119 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.8% in the 0-30k band and 28.0% in the 120-150k band, a 16.2-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 311 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.2% | 154 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.8% | 118 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.5% | 112 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.4% | 109 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 74 |
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 | 119 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 113 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 101 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 97 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 95 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 84 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 22.9% | 568 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.4% | 432 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.1% | 175 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.6% | 138 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.6% | 89 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.5% | 87 |
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 | 296 | 11.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,178 | 18.3% |
| 60-90k | 749 | 20.4% |
| 90-120k | 198 | 23.7% |
| 120-150k | 50 | 28.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 496 | 18.4% |
| 2022 | 510 | 18.2% |
| 2023 | 502 | 18.9% |
| 2024 | 510 | 21.2% |
| 2025 | 461 | 17.1% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Fortwo Passion Mhd
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.2% 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 (4.8% 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 2011 Smart Fortwo Passion Mhds pass their MOT?
81.2% of the 2,479 2011 Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.6% of tests, followed by suspension (6.2%).
Does the 2011 Fortwo Passion Mhd get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.8% in the 0-30k band to 28.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,479 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.