Smart Fortwo Pure 71 MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 2 model years and 427 tests, the Smart Fortwo Pure 71 passes its MOT 69.8% of the time. Against all cars of a similar age (26.4% fail rate), the Fortwo Pure 71 comes out 3.8pp worse. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.4% of tests against 15.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, headlamp aim and headlamp — coil spring alone was recorded 36 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the Fortwo Pure 71 fails 30.5% of the time in the 30-60k band and 28.2% at 90-120k, a spread of only 2.4 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 36.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 29.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 34.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Fortwo Pure 71 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 138 | 66.7% | 33.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2008 | 289 | 71.3% | 28.7% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.4% | 83 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.7% | 67 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.6% | 41 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 35 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.2% | 35 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 31 |
| 7 | Tyres | 6.3% | 27 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.4% | 6 |
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 | 36 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 35 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 34 |
| 4 | Washers | 27 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 24 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 21 |
| 7 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 19 |
| 8 | Fuel cap/sealing device | 18 |
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 | 36.5% | 156 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.2% | 116 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.7% | 80 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.4% | 40 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.3% | 27 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.3% | 27 |
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 | 95 | 30.5% |
| 60-90k | 202 | 31.7% |
| 90-120k | 110 | 28.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 99 | 29.3% |
| 2022 | 92 | 29.3% |
| 2023 | 83 | 27.7% |
| 2024 | 81 | 30.9% |
| 2025 | 72 | 34.7% |
What to check before buying a Smart Fortwo Pure 71
- Lighting & signalling (19.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.7% 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 (9.6% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Smart Fortwo Pure 71?
69.8% of the 427 Smart Fortwo Pure 71 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 30.2% fail rate, across model years 2007–2008.
What does the Smart Fortwo Pure 71 most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.4% of tests, then suspension (15.7%).
How much does mileage affect Fortwo Pure 71 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 30.5% for cars in the 30-60k band and 28.2% for 90-120k, a 2.4-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 427 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.