2008 Smart Fortwo Pure 71 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Smart Fortwo Pure 71 passed 71.3% of its 289 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.5 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.7% of tests against 15.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, coil spring and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 27 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 31.8% in the 30-60k band and 27.1% in the 90-120k band, a 4.7-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 33.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 25.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 32.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.7% | 57 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.6% | 45 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 26 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.6% | 25 |
| 5 | Brakes | 8.0% | 23 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.9% | 20 |
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 | 27 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 26 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 22 |
| 4 | Washers | 21 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 17 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 15 |
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 | 33.9% | 98 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.4% | 88 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.3% | 50 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.3% | 24 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.3% | 24 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.2% | 18 |
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 | 63 | 31.8% |
| 60-90k | 129 | 29.5% |
| 90-120k | 85 | 27.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 64 | 25.0% |
| 2022 | 62 | 30.6% |
| 2023 | 57 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 54 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 52 | 32.7% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Fortwo Pure 71
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.6% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.0% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 Pure 71s pass their MOT?
71.3% of the 289 2008 Smart Fortwo Pure 71 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Smart Fortwo Pure 71?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.7% of tests, followed by suspension (15.6%).
Does the 2008 Fortwo Pure 71 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 31.8% in the 30-60k band to 27.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 289 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.