Smart City Coupe MOT pass rate and common problems
68.4% of 6,404 Smart City Coupe MOT tests pass.
The City Coupe passes 68.4% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Smart models (79.0%).
The Smart City Coupe passes 68.4% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Smart City Coupe?
This is the average across every Smart City Coupe in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Smart’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 75.9% at 10–15 years to 68.0% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 75.9% | 348 | 64,278 miles |
| 15+ years | 68.0% | 6,055 | 69,438 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Smart City Coupe
The most common reason the Smart City Coupe fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 90.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 90.6% | Not working |
| Suspension | 34.8% | Fractured or broken |
| Brakes | 26.8% | Excessively corroded |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 26.1% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Visibility | 24.9% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Body, chassis, structure | 14.4% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Tyres | 13.2% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Steering | 5.8% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.8% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.1% | Inscription illegible |
Buying a used Smart City Coupe: what to check
These checks follow the Smart City Coupe’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Smart City Coupe comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 75.9% to 68.0%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 77.8% down to 69.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 90.6% of failed Smart City Coupe MOTs. 38.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 17.5% at 10–15 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 34.8% of failed Smart City Coupe MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 26.8% of failed Smart City Coupe MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 26.1% of failed Smart City Coupe MOTs. 10.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 5.5% at 10–15 years.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 24.9% of failed Smart City Coupe MOTs. 10.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 4.0% at 10–15 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Smart service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Smart models
- Smart Fortwo — 84.8% pass rate
- Smart Forfour — 79.6% pass rate
- Smart Fortwo Coupe — 72.9% pass rate
- Smart Fortwo Cabriolet — 74.9% pass rate
- Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) — 74.4% pass rate
- Smart Cabriolet — 71.2% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Smart City Coupe?
- 68.4% of Smart City Coupe MOT tests pass, based on 6,404 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Smart City Coupe?
- The most common reason the Smart City Coupe fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 90.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Smart City Coupe?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Smart City Coupe are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes. 38.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 17.5% at 10–15 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Smart City Coupe?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; exhaust, emissions and leaks; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Smart City Coupe's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Smart service history guide for how to check and keep one.