Smart Fortwo Pulse MOT pass rate and common problems
77.4% of 1,275 Smart Fortwo Pulse MOT tests pass.
At 77.4%, the Fortwo Pulse passes slightly less often than the average across all Smart models (79.0%).
At 77.4%, the Smart Fortwo Pulse passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Smart Fortwo Pulse?
This is the average across every Smart Fortwo Pulse 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 78.8% at 10–15 years to 71.7% 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 | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 78.8% | 1,031 | 57,975 miles |
| 15+ years | 71.7% | 244 | 76,223 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Smart Fortwo Pulse
The most common reason the Smart Fortwo Pulse fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 63.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 63.3% | Not working |
| Brakes | 36.7% | Excessively binding |
| Suspension | 29.7% | Fractured or broken |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 17.1% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Tyres | 16.5% | Has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure |
| Visibility | 14.4% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Body, chassis, structure | 9.7% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Steering | 2.6% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Road Wheels | 0.8% | Fixing missing |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.5% | Inscription illegible |
Buying a used Smart Fortwo Pulse: what to check
These checks follow the Smart Fortwo Pulse’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 Pulse comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 78.8% to 71.7%. 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: 89.6% down to 78.4%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 63.3% of failed Smart Fortwo Pulse 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 36.7% of failed Smart Fortwo Pulse 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 29.7% of failed Smart Fortwo Pulse MOTs. 17.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 6.9% at 10–15 years.
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. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 17.1% of failed Smart Fortwo Pulse MOTs. 10.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 3.9% 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. Tyres
Recorded in 16.5% of failed Smart Fortwo Pulse 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.
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 City Coupe — 68.4% pass rate
- Smart Fortwo Cabriolet — 74.9% pass rate
- Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) — 74.4% pass rate
- Smart Cabriolet — 71.2% pass rate
- Smart Roadster — 77.2% pass rate
- Smart City Cabriolet — 66.2% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Smart Fortwo Pulse?
- 77.4% of Smart Fortwo Pulse MOT tests pass, based on 1,275 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Smart Fortwo Pulse?
- The most common reason the Smart Fortwo Pulse fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 63.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Smart Fortwo Pulse?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Smart Fortwo Pulse are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Smart Fortwo Pulse?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; exhaust, emissions and leaks; tyres. 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 Pulse'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.