Smart Smart Passion Softouch(Rhd)A MOT pass rate & common failures
891 MOT tests on the Smart Smart Passion Softouch(Rhd)A (2001–2004) give it a 71.2% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.5% fail rate), the Smart Passion Softouch(Rhd)A comes out 1.4pp worse. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, visibility and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.1% of all tests — 8.5 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, washers and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 135 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the Smart Passion Softouch(Rhd)A fails 28.6% of the time in the 30-60k band and 29.1% at 90-120k, a spread of only 0.6 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 30.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
By model year
Every Smart Passion Softouch(Rhd)A model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 114 | 67.5% | 32.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2002 | 733 | 71.6% | 28.4% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.1% | 170 |
| 2 | Visibility | 10.5% | 94 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.3% | 92 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.9% | 88 |
| 5 | Brakes | 8.2% | 73 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.2% | 46 |
| 7 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 43 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.3% | 38 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 135 |
| 2 | Washers | 78 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 75 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 66 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 58 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 45 |
| 7 | Coil spring | 42 |
| 8 | Wipers | 34 |
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 | 30.0% | 267 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.1% | 206 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.8% | 194 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 162 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.7% | 158 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.1% | 90 |
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 | 287 | 28.6% |
| 60-90k | 391 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 151 | 29.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 259 | 29.7% |
| 2022 | 224 | 29.0% |
| 2023 | 171 | 28.1% |
| 2024 | 128 | 27.3% |
| 2025 | 109 | 29.4% |
What to check before buying a Smart Smart Passion Softouch(Rhd)A
- Lighting & signalling (19.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (10.5% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Suspension (10.3% 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.
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 Smart Passion Softouch(Rhd)A?
71.2% of the 891 Smart Smart Passion Softouch(Rhd)A MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 28.8% fail rate, across model years 2001–2004.
What does the Smart Smart Passion Softouch(Rhd)A most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.1% of tests, then visibility (10.5%).
How much does mileage affect Smart Passion Softouch(Rhd)A MOT results?
Fail rates run at 28.6% for cars in the 30-60k band and 29.1% for 90-120k, a 0.6-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 891 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.