At a Glance
The Smart Fortwo Mk1 has 3 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with Fuel cap damaged or missing being the most reported. Electrical is the most common MOT failure category. Based on 182K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on this model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we calculate MOT pass rates and problems →
Below: the full MOT-data picture for the Smart Fortwo Mk1 — MOT pass rate vs the UK average, common problems vs UK fleet patterns, the most likely MOT failures by frequency, fault occurrence by mileage band, and pass/fail trends. All numbers drawn from DVSA records.
Smart Fortwo Mk1 MOT Pass Rate
Across 182K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Smart Fortwo Mk1 (1998–2007) has a fail rate of 37.9%.
UK average fail rate (2006–2007): 36.6%
Common Smart Fortwo Mk1 Problems
Owner-submitted reports plus patterns we've identified across 559 million UK MOT tests. Each MOT-derived item below — whether tagged as a Problem, Wear & Tear or Consumable — shows up noticeably more often on this generation than across the UK fleet, which is why it's here. Owner reports are pinned to the top by default; use the sort and filter pills below to view a specific tier or change the order.
Fuel cap damaged or missing
1,792
occurrences
Steering wheel damaged or insecure
93
occurrences
Steering lock fault
30
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Smart Fortwo Mk1 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Smart Fortwo Mk1 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Problems by mileage
Common problems, MOT failures and advisories on the Smart Fortwo Mk1, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
528 distinct problems · 274,728 total occurrences in current filter
Filter by fuel and engine size to narrow down to your car.
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Advisory items are MOT tester observations. Frequency can be influenced by driving style and usage patterns.
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Other Smart Fortwo Generations
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Smart Fortwo Mk1 problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Smart Fortwo Mk1 (1998–2007), we have identified 3 common problems. The most frequently reported is "Fuel cap damaged or missing". Electrical is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Smart Fortwo Mk1?
This generation has 182K MOT tests on record with a 37.9% fail rate. A fault is flagged as a "Common Problem" only when it occurs significantly more often on this model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence.
What commonly fails the MOT on a Smart Fortwo Mk1?
There are 168 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the Mk1 (1998–2007), grouped by the mileage these failures typically occur. See the Common MOT Failures section on this page.
Can I report a problem with my Smart Fortwo Mk1?
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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