2002 Smart Smart Passion Softouch(Rhd)A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 733 MOT tests, the 2002 Smart Smart Passion Softouch(Rhd)A recorded a 71.6% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.5%, so the 2002 Smart Passion Softouch(Rhd)A sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.6% of all tests — 8.3 points clear of emissions & environmental, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and washers — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 120 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2002 Smart Passion Softouch(Rhd)A fails 29.7% of the time in the 30-60k band and 28.1% at 90-120k, a spread of only 1.6 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 29.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 136 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 10.2% | 75 |
| 3 | Visibility | 10.1% | 74 |
| 4 | Suspension | 10.0% | 73 |
| 5 | Brakes | 8.3% | 61 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.8% | 35 |
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 | 120 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 65 |
| 3 | Washers | 63 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 49 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 46 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 40 |
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 | 29.3% | 215 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.6% | 173 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.4% | 157 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 132 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.7% | 130 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.1% | 67 |
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 | 232 | 29.7% |
| 60-90k | 321 | 26.8% |
| 90-120k | 135 | 28.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 210 | 29.5% |
| 2022 | 183 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 143 | 28.0% |
| 2024 | 104 | 26.9% |
| 2025 | 93 | 29.0% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Smart Passion Softouch(Rhd)A
On a 2002 Smart Passion Softouch(Rhd)A, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (10.2% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Visibility (10.1% 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.
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 2002 Smart Smart Passion Softouch(Rhd)As pass their MOT?
71.6% of the 733 2002 Smart Smart Passion Softouch(Rhd)A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Smart Smart Passion Softouch(Rhd)A?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (10.2%).
Does the 2002 Smart Passion Softouch(Rhd)A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.7% in the 30-60k band to 28.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 733 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.