Is the Smart Fortwo ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 53,451 MOT tests, around 88% of Smart Fortwos still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 8% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 4%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 90% petrol, 8% diesel. Every petrol Fortwo in the data (2002 onwards) is likely to be compliant. Diesel Fortwos in the data are mostly from years that are unlikely to comply.
- Likely compliant
- 88%
- Likely charged
- 8%
- Depends on the car
- 4%
- MOT tests analysed
- 53,451
Check a specific Fortwo
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
Fortwo ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many Fortwos of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Petrol | Diesel | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Likely compliant1,564 tested | – | Compliant348 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant3,126 tested | – | Compliant264 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant4,728 tested | – | Compliant97 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant5,731 tested | – | – |
| 2015 | Likely compliant2,174 tested | – | Compliant18 tested |
| 2014 | Likely compliant3,683 tested | Check exact car23 tested | Compliant94 tested |
| 2013 | Likely compliant3,079 tested | Likely charged289 tested | Compliant60 tested |
| 2012 | Likely compliant2,296 tested | Likely charged358 tested | Compliant3 tested |
| 2011 | Likely compliant3,162 tested | Likely charged745 tested | – |
| 2010 | Likely compliant4,115 tested | Likely charged1,466 tested | – |
| 2009 | Likely compliant4,485 tested | Likely charged1,357 tested | – |
| 2008 | Likely compliant4,808 tested | Likely charged5 tested | – |
| 2007 | Likely compliant2,288 tested | Likely charged8 tested | – |
| 2006 | Likely compliant1,071 tested | Likely charged1 tested | – |
| 2005 | Check Euro standard857 tested | Likely charged4 tested | – |
| 2004 | Check Euro standard756 tested | – | Compliant2 tested |
| 2003 | Check Euro standard188 tested | Likely charged1 tested | – |
| 2002 | Check Euro standard91 tested | Likely charged2 tested | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the Fortwo
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015). Electric versions always comply.
- Petrol (90% of Fortwos tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
- Diesel (8% of Fortwos tested): most cars in our data are from years unlikely to comply.
- Electric (2% of Fortwos tested): always compliant.
Fortwos from 2014 sit on the boundary (4% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Smart can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how Fortwos fare at the MOT too: see the Smart Fortwo MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Smart Fortwo for London: what the MOT data shows
The Smart Fortwos in this data were first registered between 2002 and 2019. 2009 was the most common year, with 5,842 tests (11% of the total), and half were registered in 2012 or later.
Fortwos from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 73% of the time, at an average of 47,634 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 66% of the time with 61,069 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest petrol Fortwos likely to comply are from 2006. 1,071 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 61% of the time and averaged 65,738 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the Fortwo's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (5.5% of tests); suspension: "fractured or broken" (3.7%); visibility: "does not clear the windscreen effectively" (2.5%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 11.6% of tests.
Overall, 72% of Fortwos passed first time, roughly in line with the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 49,460 miles on average, fewer than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Smart models
About this data
Based on 53,451 first MOT tests of the Smart Fortwo 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.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 53,451 MOT tests say about the Smart Fortwo and London's ULEZ.
Is the Smart Fortwo ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 88% of Fortwos on the road are likely compliant and 8% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol Fortwo years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol Fortwos first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel Fortwo ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel Fortwos from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific Fortwo is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- 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 · 5 min readMOT retest rules: when it's free, partial or full priceFix a failed MOT within a day or two and the retest is often free; wait too long and you pay for a full test again. The three retest types explained.Read the guide
Is your Fortwo ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.