Smart (mcc) Fortwo MOT Failures
An analysis of 152,226 real DVSA MOT tests on the Smart (mcc) Fortwo — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: 450 (1998–2007), 451 (2007–2014), 453 (2014–2020).
Where the Smart (mcc) Fortwo fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Smart (mcc) Fortwo is engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... — this model is 38 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 152,226 MOT tests, 0.21% of all Smart (mcc) Fortwo tests recorded this as a failure.
Bodywork failures usually mean structural corrosion — not cosmetic rust, but rot that affects the car's structural integrity. Check sills, subframes, and chassis rails carefully, especially on older examples.
Other notable weak points include emissions failure (18x the fleet average), window tint too dark (13x the fleet average), any part of the noise suppression system insecure (12x the fleet average), and headlight fault (11x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Smart (mcc) Fortwo'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: Bodywork, Exhaust & Emissions, Wipers & Windscreen, Lights & Electrics, Tyres. If you're inspecting a Smart (mcc) Fortwo 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 (mcc) Fortwo'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 (mcc) Fortwo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (14x the average) and headlight fault (11x). window tint too dark (11x) and emissions failure (10x) 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 (mcc) Fortwo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (16x the average) and any part of the noise suppression system insecure (12x). emissions failure (8.1x) and emissions failure also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
The standout failure at this mileage is engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... at 38x the fleet average.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Smart (mcc) Fortwo specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Engine mount failure (451/453) Major
The engine mounting brackets on 1.0L petrol engines deteriorate and crack, causing excessive engine movement. Affects 451, 453; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£500.
Emissions system failure - lambda sensor (451/453) Major
Lambda sensor failures cause emissions to exceed manufacturer limits and trigger management light illumination. Affects 451, 453; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£250.
Fluid leaks affecting safety (451/453) Major
Smart Fortwo models from the 451 and 453 generations (2007-2020) can develop significant oil leaks from various engine seals and gaskets, particularly affecting the oil pan, valve cover, and transmission areas where the compact engine bay concentrates heat and accelerates seal deterioration. Affects 451, 453; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£400.
Suspension component wear (451/453)
Suspension bushes and joints wear at 3.8x the national average, typically affecting front suspension components from 40,000 miles. Affects 451, 453; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Smart (mcc) Fortwo common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Smart (mcc) Fortwo
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Smart (mcc) Fortwo:
Bodywork — check for engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det.... Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure, any part of the noise suppression system insecure. Wipers & Windscreen — check for window tint too dark, obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or....
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about engine mount failure and emissions system failure - lambda sensor. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £300. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Smart (mcc) Fortwo?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Smart (mcc) Fortwo MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Smart (mcc) Fortwo?
Based on 152,226 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... — at 38x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include emissions failure and window tint too dark.
Is the Smart (mcc) Fortwo reliable based on MOT data?
The Smart (mcc) Fortwo has 9 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag engine mount failure as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
The most common high-mileage failures include engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det..., emissions failure, window tint too dark.
How do I check a Smart (mcc) Fortwo'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.