At a Glance
The Smart City has 30 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the City Coupe (1998-2007) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 271K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Smart City common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Smart City generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Smart City owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Smart City owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Looking for a garage to repair your Smart City?
Search our directory of 12,000+ UK garages by service and postcode — every garage has verified Google reviews.
Browse Smart City Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Most Common Smart City MOT Failures
Every reason Smart City vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Windscreen washer not working | 10.38% |
| 2 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 10.18% |
| 3 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 9.41% |
| 4 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 8.33% |
| 5 | Number plate lamp not working | 5.30% |
| 6 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.75% |
| 7 | Front lamp not working | 4.12% |
| 8 | Brake disc or drum worn | 3.18% |
| 9 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 3.16% |
| 10 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.83% |
| 11 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 2.39% |
| 12 | Rear lamp not working | 2.21% |
| 13 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.19% |
| 14 | Position lamp not working | 2.19% |
| 15 | Exhaust system fault | 2.14% |
| 16 | Track rod end worn | 1.83% |
| 17 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.82% |
| 18 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.55% |
| 19 | Indicator fault | 1.48% |
| 20 | Headlamp fault | 1.48% |
| 21 | Tyre condition | 1.44% |
| 22 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.35% |
| 23 | Airbag warning light on | 1.31% |
| 24 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.23% |
| 25 | Fog lamp not working | 1.22% |
| 26 | Front suspension fault | 0.91% |
| 27 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.87% |
| 28 | ABS fault | 0.87% |
| 29 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.77% |
| 30 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.62% |
| 31 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.60% |
| 32 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.57% |
| 33 | Rear suspension fault | 0.56% |
| 34 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.50% |
| 35 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.50% |
| 36 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.48% |
| 37 | Seat belt condition | 0.37% |
| 38 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.34% |
| 39 | Driveshaft fault | 0.27% |
| 40 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.22% |
| 41 | Parking brake condition | 0.22% |
| 42 | Engine oil leak | 0.21% |
| 43 | Steering rack fault | 0.19% |
| 44 | Stop lamp not working | 0.18% |
| 45 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.17% |
| 46 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.15% |
| 47 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.14% |
| 48 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.14% |
| 49 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.14% |
| 50 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.11% |
| 51 | Electrical switch fault | 0.10% |
| 52 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.10% |
| 53 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.10% |
| 54 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.09% |
| 55 | Steering lock fault | 0.08% |
| 56 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.08% |
| 57 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.08% |
| 58 | Steering operation fault | 0.08% |
| 59 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.08% |
| 60 | Driver airbag fault | 0.08% |
| 61 | Brake fluid leak | 0.07% |
| 62 | Steering free play excessive | 0.07% |
| 63 | Front passenger door fault | 0.07% |
| 64 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.06% |
| 65 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.05% |
| 66 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.05% |
| 67 | Horn not working | 0.05% |
| 68 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.05% |
| 69 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.05% |
| 70 | Body security fault | 0.05% |
| 71 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.05% |
| 72 | Steering coupling worn | 0.04% |
| 73 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.04% |
| 74 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 75 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.04% |
| 76 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 77 | Chassis condition | 0.04% |
| 78 | Brake lever fault | 0.03% |
| 79 | Universal joint worn | 0.03% |
| 80 | Steering column fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Steering arm worn | 0.03% |
| 82 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 83 | Speedometer fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.02% |
| 85 | Brake caliper fault | 0.02% |
| 86 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 88 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.02% |
| 90 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Drag link end worn | 0.02% |
| 92 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 93 | Dip switch fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.02% |
| 95 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.01% |
| 96 | Radius arm worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 97 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 98 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 99 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 100 | Main beam warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 101 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 102 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 103 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 105 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 106 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 108 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Brake pedal fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 114 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 117 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 119 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 120 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 125 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 127 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 128 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 130 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 132 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 134 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 136 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 138 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 140 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 141 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 143 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | <0.01% |
| 144 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 146 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 147 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 149 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 151 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 156 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 157 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 158 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 159 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 160 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 162 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Smart City MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Smart City, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
Join as a car owner — free
Get MOT reminders, a pre-MOT checklist, and tools to compare garages near you.
MOT Reminders
Free email alerts 28 and 7 days before your MOT expires.
44-Point MOT Checklist
Printable checklist to inspect your car before the test.
Save Favourite Garages
Save garages you trust and compare their ratings side by side.
Already a member? Sign in
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Smart City problems?
Based on analysis of 271K Smart City MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 30 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Stop lamp not working". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Smart City generation has the most problems?
The Smart City City Coupe (1998-2007) (1998–2007) has the highest number of identified common problems (37). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Smart City?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Smart City owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
Search Vehicles With Common Problems
Find common car problems, MOT failures, and advisories for any make and model
