2002 Smart Smart Passion Softouch — MOT failures & pass rate
645 MOT tests on the 2002 Smart Smart Passion Softouch are in this dataset, and 73.2% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.5% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.9% of tests against 11.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 75 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 24.4% in the 0-30k band and 31.6% in the 120-150k band, a 7.1-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 31.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.2% in 2021 to 21.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.9% | 135 |
| 2 | Visibility | 11.0% | 71 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.8% | 57 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.8% | 50 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.6% | 49 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.5% | 42 |
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 | 75 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 71 |
| 3 | Washers | 48 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 45 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 36 |
| 6 | Wipers | 35 |
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 | 31.9% | 206 |
| 2 | Suspension | 23.9% | 154 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.4% | 138 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 108 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.4% | 93 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.6% | 75 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 45 | 24.4% |
| 30-60k | 169 | 26.6% |
| 60-90k | 242 | 23.5% |
| 90-120k | 137 | 32.1% |
| 120-150k | 38 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 173 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 151 | 28.5% |
| 2023 | 135 | 28.9% |
| 2024 | 104 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 82 | 21.9% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Smart Passion Softouch
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (11.0% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (8.8% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 Softouchs pass their MOT?
73.2% of the 645 2002 Smart Smart Passion Softouch MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Smart Smart Passion Softouch?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.9% of tests, followed by visibility (11.0%).
Does the 2002 Smart Passion Softouch get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.4% in the 0-30k band to 31.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 645 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.