Smart reliability: MOT results 2024
Figures updated
Ranked 27 of 52 makes
12,526 Smart cars aged 3 to 20 had an MOT in 2024, and 30.1% failed first time (UK average 28.5%). Allowing for age and mileage, a Smart is about as likely to fail as the average car of the same age and mileage. At their first MOT, 10.9% failed (UK 12.7%).
Smart models ranked
| Model | Score | Fail rate | First MOT | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Fortwo | 98 | 32.3% | – | 6,804 |
| Smart EQ | 74 | 12.2% | 10.9% | 2,149 |
Smart MOT failure rate by age
What Smart cars fail on
| Area | Tests failing | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 14.5% | ▲ 1.1× as often |
| Brakes | 8.0% | About average |
| Suspension | 7.8% | ▼ 23% less often |
| Visibility | 5.8% | 1.1× as often |
| Tyres | 5.4% | About average |
| Exhaust and emissions | 4.3% | ▲ 1.2× as often |
| Body and structure | 3.1% | ▼ 28% less often |
| Steering | 1.4% | ▼ 35% less often |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.5% | ▼ 56% less often |
| Wheels | 0.3% | About average |
Most common Smart MOT faults
- Position lamp: not working3.2% of tests
- Coil spring: fractured or broken3.2% of tests
- Stop lamp: not working3.1% of tests
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.7% of tests
- Service brake performance: excessively binding2.6% of tests
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.6% of tests
Frequently asked questions
›Are Smart cars reliable?
By MOT results, Smart ranks 27 of 52 makes in 2024, with a reliability score of 101 (100 is average for the same age and mileage). 30.1% of Smart cars failed their MOT first time.
›What is the most reliable Smart?
The Smart Fortwo, with a score of 98. The lowest-scoring is the EQ (74).
›What do Smart cars fail their MOT on?
Exhaust and emissions: 4.3% of Smart MOTs failed on it, 1.2 times the rate for similar cars. The single most common fault was “Position lamp: not working”.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024, Open Government Licence v3.0. How we calculate the league.