Smart City Coupe MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 5,033 MOT tests on the Smart City Coupe carried out in 2023. 41% failed at the first attempt, which is well above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 6 in 10 City Coupes passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2000 to 2012. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2012 models did best (76% passed, +10.4 points against the average for 11-year-old cars), while 2000 models fared worst (58%, −2.9 points). Tested cars had covered 67,535 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 25.3% of tests (well above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 12.1% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 5,033
- First-time pass rate
- 59%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −12.8 points
- Average mileage at test
- 67,535
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular City Coupe?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
City Coupe MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 50 | 76% | 66% | +10.4 points | 57,500 |
| 2010 | 87 | 70% | 60% | +9.6 points | 64,054 |
| 2009 | 128 | 66% | 59% | +6.6 points | 64,301 |
| 2008 | 106 | 58% | 57% | +1.1 points | 69,316 |
| 2007 | 523 | 57% | 57% | +0.2 points | 65,538 |
| 2006 | 638 | 58% | 56% | +1.8 points | 62,429 |
| 2005 | 435 | 57% | 56% | +1.0 points | 69,472 |
| 2004 | 813 | 59% | 56% | +3.3 points | 68,950 |
| 2003 | 1,121 | 56% | 57% | −0.5 points | 69,856 |
| 2002 | 751 | 57% | 58% | −0.2 points | 68,815 |
| 2001 | 206 | 63% | 59% | +4.5 points | 66,876 |
| 2000 | 78 | 58% | 61% | −2.9 points | 69,625 |
Why the Smart City Coupe fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | City Coupe | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 25.3% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 13.6% | 8.9% |
| Visibility | 12.0% | 4.8% |
| Brakes | 10.0% | 6.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.4% | 3.1% |
| Body and structure | 6.3% | 3.5% |
| Tyres | 5.5% | 6.3% |
| Steering | 2.6% | 1.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.7% | 1.0% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.5% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working12.1%
- 2projected beam image is obviously incorrect6.1%
- 3provides insufficient washer liquid5.8%
- 4fractured or broken4.8%
- 5Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits4.3%
- 6not working on dipped beam3.7%
- 7ball joint excessively worn3.2%
- 8not working3.1%
- 9does not clear the windscreen effectively2.8%
- 10pin or bush excessively worn2.8%
Common City Coupe MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used City Coupe, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| excessively corroded | Brakes | 14.1% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 12.5% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 11.4% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.0% |
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 10.8% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 5.9% |
| inscription illegible | Number plates and VIN | 5.9% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 5.5% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 4.7% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 4.2% |
Tips to help your City Coupe pass
Based on where City Coupes most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 25.3% of City Coupe tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Visibility · 12.0% of City Coupe tests
Clear the view
Replace wiper blades that smear, fill the washer bottle and get chips in the windscreen repaired early, especially in the area directly in front of the driver.
Brakes · 10.0% of City Coupe tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the City Coupe ULEZ compliant? See the Smart City Coupe ULEZ check, or view all Smart models.
Other Smart models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 5,033 first MOT tests of the Smart City Coupe carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 5,033 first MOT tests of the Smart City Coupe.
What is the Smart City Coupe MOT failure rate?
In our data, 41% of 5,033 first MOT attempts on the Smart City Coupe ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Smart City Coupe fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (25.3% of tests), suspension (13.6% of tests), visibility (12.0% of tests).
Which City Coupe year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2012 cars performed best: 76% passed first time, +10.4 points against the average for 11-year-old cars. The weakest was 2000, at 58% (−2.9 points).
How many miles had a typical Smart City Coupe covered at its MOT?
The average was 67,535 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2012 cars averaged 57,500 miles and 2000 cars 69,625.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Smart City Coupe?
"excessively corroded" was recorded on 14.1% of tests, in the brakes area. 10.0% of City Coupes failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific City Coupe's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 5,033 City Coupes in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 56% to 76% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
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