Smart (mcc) Fortwo common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Smart (mcc) Fortwo at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 27,102 UK MOT tests of the Smart (mcc) Fortwo in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is malfunction indicator lamp (inoperative or indicates a malfunction): recorded on 3.9% of tests of 2016–2018 cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km), 6.5× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: service brake performance (excessively binding) (4.9×); stop lamp (not working) (4.1×); service brake performance (binding but not excessively) (3.4×). The most common reasons a Smart (mcc) Fortwo fails its MOT are wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick); stop lamp (not working).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Smart (mcc) Fortwo
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Smart (mcc) Fortwo than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | MOT fail | 2016–2018 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3.9% | 0.6% | 6.5× | 609 |
| Service brake performance: excessively binding | MOT fail | 2010–2012 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 4.9% | 1% | 4.9× | 467 |
| Stop lamp: not working | MOT fail | 2014–2016 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 5.8% | 1.4% | 4.1× | 1,043 |
| Service brake performance: binding but not excessively | Advisory | 2011–2013 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.7% | 1.1% | 3.4× | 598 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | Advisory | 2012–2014 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 8.1% | 2.9% | 2.8× | 1,579 |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | MOT fail | 2012–2014 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3.4% | 1.4% | 2.4× | 1,579 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | MOT fail | 2016–2018 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 4.1% | 1.8% | 2.3× | 2,392 |
| Brake discs: worn, but not excessively | Advisory | 2018–2020 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 4% | 1.8% | 2.2× | 1,868 |
Smart (mcc) Fortwo by mileage (2016–2018 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 4,457 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (13%) | Brake pads: wearing thin (3.1%, 1.6×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 6,248 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (14%) | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.8%, 1.8×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 2,392 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively (4.1%, 2.3×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 609 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (20%) | Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction (3.9%, 6.5×) |
Smart (mcc) Fortwo by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 251 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2.2×) |
| 2008 | 886 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.7×) |
| 2009 | 925 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2.9×) |
| 2010 | 765 | Service brake performance: excessively binding at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (4×) |
| 2011 | 650 | Service brake performance: excessively binding at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (4.9×) |
| 2012 | 391 | Service brake performance: binding but not excessively at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.4×) |
| 2013 | 900 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.8×) |
| 2014 | 3,740 | Stop lamp: not working at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3.3×) |
| 2015 | 2,181 | Stop lamp: not working at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (4.2×) |
| 2016 | 5,710 | Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (5.9×) |
| 2017 | 4,819 | Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (6.5×) |
| 2018 | 3,384 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2×) |
| 2019 | 1,910 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.3×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Smart (mcc) Fortwo?
In 27,102 UK MOT tests of the Smart (mcc) Fortwo in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is malfunction indicator lamp (inoperative or indicates a malfunction): recorded on 3.9% of tests of 2016–2018 cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km), 6.5× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: service brake performance (excessively binding) (4.9×); stop lamp (not working) (4.1×); service brake performance (binding but not excessively) (3.4×). The most common reasons a Smart (mcc) Fortwo fails its MOT are wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick); stop lamp (not working).
Why do Smart (mcc) Fortwos fail the MOT?
Across 27,102 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Smart (mcc) Fortwo were wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (3.2% of tests); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick) (2.7% of tests); stop lamp (not working) (4.2% of tests).
At what mileage do Smart (mcc) Fortwo problems start?
The clearest Smart (mcc) Fortwo-specific issue, malfunction indicator lamp (inoperative or indicates a malfunction), peaks against other cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) on 2016–2018 cars (3.9% of tests vs 0.6% for all cars that age).
Where does this Smart (mcc) Fortwo data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 27,102 tests of the Smart (mcc) Fortwo. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.