2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 551 MOT tests, the 2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse recorded a 78.2% pass rate. That is 2.5 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 24.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 12.2% of all tests — 3.5 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, headlamp aim and malfunction indicator lamp — service brake performance alone was recorded 32 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.2% in the 30-60k band and 17.3% in the 90-120k band, a 4.9-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 23.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 67 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.7% | 48 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.2% | 45 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.4% | 30 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.2% | 23 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.6% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 32 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 31 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 23 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 23 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 22 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 20 |
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 | 23.6% | 130 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.6% | 130 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.9% | 71 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.0% | 44 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.4% | 41 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 5.8% | 32 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 207 | 22.2% |
| 60-90k | 222 | 23.0% |
| 90-120k | 81 | 17.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 127 | 23.6% |
| 2022 | 120 | 21.7% |
| 2023 | 104 | 19.2% |
| 2024 | 100 | 20.0% |
| 2025 | 100 | 24.0% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Fortwo Pulse
On a 2010 Fortwo Pulse, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.7% 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 (8.2% 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 2010 Smart Fortwo Pulses pass their MOT?
78.2% of the 551 2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.2% of tests, followed by suspension (8.7%).
Does the 2010 Fortwo Pulse get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.2% in the 30-60k band to 17.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 551 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.