Smart Fortwo Cabriolet MOT pass rate and common problems
74.9% of 6,335 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet MOT tests pass.
At 74.9%, the Fortwo Cabriolet passes slightly less often than the average across all Smart models (79.0%).
At 74.9%, the Smart Fortwo Cabriolet passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Smart Fortwo Cabriolet?
This is the average across every Smart Fortwo Cabriolet 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 77.4% at 10–15 years to 72.1% 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 (20) | 20 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 77.4% | 3,356 | 60,837 miles |
| 15+ years | 72.1% | 2,959 | 67,864 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Smart Fortwo Cabriolet
The most common reason the Smart Fortwo Cabriolet fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 55.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 55.9% | Not working |
| Brakes | 35.5% | Excessively binding |
| Suspension | 35.2% | Fractured or broken |
| Tyres | 18.4% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 17.2% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Visibility | 15.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Body, chassis, structure | 9.6% | Ineffective |
| Steering | 2.3% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.5% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.3% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Smart Fortwo Cabriolet: what to check
These checks follow the Smart Fortwo Cabriolet’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 Fortwo Cabriolet comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 77.4% to 72.1%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 73.9% down to 64.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 55.9% of failed Smart Fortwo Cabriolet MOTs.
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. Brakes
Recorded in 35.5% of failed Smart Fortwo Cabriolet 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.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 35.2% of failed Smart Fortwo Cabriolet 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.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 18.4% of failed Smart Fortwo Cabriolet MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 17.2% of failed Smart Fortwo Cabriolet MOTs. 7.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 3.5% 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.
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 Forfour — 79.6% pass rate
- Smart Fortwo Coupe — 72.9% pass rate
- Smart City Coupe — 68.4% pass rate
- Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) — 74.4% pass rate
- Smart Cabriolet — 71.2% pass rate
- Smart Fortwo Pulse — 77.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Smart Fortwo Cabriolet?
- 74.9% of Smart Fortwo Cabriolet MOT tests pass, based on 6,335 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Smart Fortwo Cabriolet?
- The most common reason the Smart Fortwo Cabriolet fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 55.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Smart Fortwo Cabriolet?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Smart Fortwo Cabriolet are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Smart Fortwo Cabriolet?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; tyres; exhaust, emissions and leaks. 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 Fortwo Cabriolet'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.