Smart Fortwo Passion Cdi Auto MOT Failures
An analysis of 2,883 real DVSA MOT tests on the Smart Fortwo Passion Cdi Auto — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the Smart Fortwo Passion Cdi Auto fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Smart Fortwo Passion Cdi Auto is significant brake effort recorded with no brake... — this model is 11 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it worth watching for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 2,883 MOT tests, 9.56% of all Smart Fortwo Passion Cdi Auto tests recorded this as a failure.
Brake failures on the MOT range from worn pads and discs (routine maintenance) to corroded brake lines and seized calipers (more serious). Check for any pulling under braking and listen for grinding.
Other notable weak points include emissions failure (78x the fleet average), engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (55x the fleet average), anti-roll bar links worn (13x the fleet average), and fluid leak (7.7x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Smart Fortwo Passion Cdi Auto's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Brakes, Exhaust & Emissions, Bodywork, Suspension, Wheels. If you're inspecting a Smart Fortwo Passion Cdi Auto before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Smart Fortwo Passion Cdi Auto's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Smart Fortwo Passion Cdi Auto specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (78x the average) and significant brake effort recorded with no brake... (11x). fluid leak (7.7x) and brake pipes corroded (5.9x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Smart Fortwo Passion Cdi Auto specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (55x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (13x). significant brake effort recorded with no brake... (6.3x) and significant brake effort recorded with no brake... also appear frequently.
The shift from emissions failure at lower mileages to engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
What to check before buying a Smart Fortwo Passion Cdi Auto
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Smart Fortwo Passion Cdi Auto:
Brakes — check for significant brake effort recorded with no brake..., brake pipes corroded. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure, fluid leak. Bodywork — check for engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det.... Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn, coil springs broken.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Smart Fortwo Passion Cdi Auto?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Smart Fortwo Passion Cdi Auto MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Smart Fortwo Passion Cdi Auto?
Based on 2,883 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is significant brake effort recorded with no brake... — at 11x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include emissions failure and engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det....
Is the Smart Fortwo Passion Cdi Auto reliable based on MOT data?
The Smart Fortwo Passion Cdi Auto has 8 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is significant brake effort recorded with no brake.... Always check a specific car's full history before buying.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
The most common high-mileage failures include significant brake effort recorded with no brake..., emissions failure, engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det....
How do I check a Smart Fortwo Passion Cdi Auto's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.