At a Glance
The Smart Fortwo has 10 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the Mk2 (2007-2014) being the most affected generation and tyres & wheels the most common problem category. Based on 704K 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 Fortwo 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 Fortwo 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.
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Browse Smart Fortwo Generations
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Most Common Smart Fortwo MOT Failures
Every reason Smart Fortwo 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 | Stop lamp not working | 8.75% |
| 2 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 8.42% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 7.08% |
| 4 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 6.84% |
| 5 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 6.05% |
| 6 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 5.95% |
| 7 | Windscreen washer not working | 5.94% |
| 8 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.35% |
| 9 | Headlamp aim defect | 4.87% |
| 10 | Number plate lamp not working | 3.11% |
| 11 | Position lamp not working | 2.98% |
| 12 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 2.82% |
| 13 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.51% |
| 14 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.28% |
| 15 | Front lamp not working | 2.01% |
| 16 | Headlamp fault | 1.85% |
| 17 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.74% |
| 18 | Exhaust system fault | 1.67% |
| 19 | Horn not working | 1.51% |
| 20 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.16% |
| 21 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 1.09% |
| 22 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.06% |
| 23 | Track rod end worn | 0.98% |
| 24 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.95% |
| 25 | Indicator fault | 0.93% |
| 26 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.87% |
| 27 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.81% |
| 28 | Airbag warning light on | 0.78% |
| 29 | ABS fault | 0.77% |
| 30 | Rear lamp not working | 0.75% |
| 31 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.61% |
| 32 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.58% |
| 33 | Fog lamp not working | 0.38% |
| 34 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.34% |
| 35 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.33% |
| 36 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.32% |
| 37 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.31% |
| 38 | Front suspension fault | 0.27% |
| 39 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.26% |
| 40 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.23% |
| 41 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.23% |
| 42 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.23% |
| 43 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.23% |
| 44 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.23% |
| 45 | Seat belt condition | 0.20% |
| 46 | Driveshaft fault | 0.18% |
| 47 | Brake pedal fault | 0.17% |
| 48 | Engine oil leak | 0.16% |
| 49 | Rear suspension fault | 0.15% |
| 50 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.14% |
| 51 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.14% |
| 52 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.11% |
| 53 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.11% |
| 54 | Driver door fault | 0.11% |
| 55 | Brake lever fault | 0.10% |
| 56 | Front passenger door fault | 0.10% |
| 57 | Parking brake condition | 0.10% |
| 58 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.10% |
| 59 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.10% |
| 60 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.08% |
| 61 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.08% |
| 62 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.08% |
| 63 | Steering rack fault | 0.08% |
| 64 | Electrical switch fault | 0.07% |
| 65 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.06% |
| 66 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.06% |
| 67 | Steering operation fault | 0.06% |
| 68 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.06% |
| 69 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.05% |
| 70 | Driver airbag fault | 0.05% |
| 71 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.05% |
| 72 | Steering lock fault | 0.04% |
| 73 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.04% |
| 74 | Steering column fault | 0.03% |
| 75 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 76 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.03% |
| 77 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 78 | Brake fluid leak | 0.03% |
| 79 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.03% |
| 80 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.02% |
| 81 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 82 | Steering damper fault | 0.02% |
| 83 | Chassis condition | 0.02% |
| 84 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 85 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 86 | Steering free play excessive | 0.02% |
| 87 | Speedometer fault | 0.02% |
| 88 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 89 | Steering arm worn | 0.02% |
| 90 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 91 | Brake caliper fault | 0.01% |
| 92 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.01% |
| 93 | Driver seat fault | 0.01% |
| 94 | Universal joint worn | 0.01% |
| 95 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.01% |
| 96 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 97 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 98 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.01% |
| 100 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.01% |
| 101 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 102 | Drag link end worn | <0.01% |
| 103 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 105 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 108 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 109 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 111 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 115 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 120 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 121 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 122 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 123 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 124 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 125 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 128 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | <0.01% |
| 129 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 131 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 133 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 134 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 136 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 137 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 138 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 139 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 141 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 149 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 151 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 152 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 153 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 156 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 160 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 161 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 162 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 163 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 165 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 166 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 167 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | <0.01% |
| 170 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 172 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 173 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 174 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Smart Fortwo MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Smart Fortwo, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Smart Fortwo problems?
Based on analysis of 704K Smart Fortwo MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 10 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Coil spring broken or corroded". Tyres & Wheels is the most common problem category.
Which Smart Fortwo generation has the most problems?
The Smart Fortwo Mk2 (2007-2014) (2007–2014) has the highest number of identified common problems (11). 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 Fortwo?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Smart Fortwo owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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