Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe MOT Failures

An analysis of 308,206 real DVSA MOT tests on the Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe — 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 Coupe fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe is fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ... — this model is 73 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 308,206 MOT tests, 2.06% of all Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe 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 (44x the fleet average), engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (47x the fleet average), brake hoses perished or damaged (33x the fleet average), and headlight fault (25x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe'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 6 categories: Bodywork, Exhaust & Emissions, Brakes, Lights & Electrics, Steering and others. If you're inspecting a Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe 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 Coupe'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 Coupe specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ... (73x the average) and engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (47x). brake hoses perished or damaged (33x) and tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned (27x) 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 Coupe specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (26x the average) and steering lock missing or not functioning (25x). fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ... (18x) and emissions failure (16x) 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.

For the Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ... (18x the average) and engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (14x). suspension component damaged or corroded (8.7x) and anti-roll bar links worn (7.8x) also appear frequently.

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 Coupe specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Brake hose deterioration Dangerous

Flexible brake hoses on first-generation Smart Fortwo deteriorate at 33 times the national fleet average, particularly on 0.7-litre petrol models. Affects 450; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£350.

Engine mount failure Major

Engine mounts on Smart Fortwo fail at exceptionally high rates due to the engine's rear-mounted position and constant transmission vibration from the automated manual gearbox. Affects 450, 451; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£500.

Fuel system leaks Major

Fuel system leaks occur at 29.6 times the fleet average on petrol Smart Fortwo models, with 0.7-litre variants particularly affected around 40,000-60,000 miles. Affects 450, 451; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£400.

Coil spring failure Major

Coil springs fracture at 10.8 times the fleet average on Smart Fortwo, affecting all engine variants but particularly severe on 0.7-litre petrol models even at very low mileages. Affects 450, 451; typical independent garage repair cost is £180–£320.

For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe:

Bodywork — check for fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ..., engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det.... Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Brakes — check for brake hoses perished or damaged.

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about brake hose deterioration and engine mount failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £200. 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.

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.