2009 Smart Fortwo MOT pass rate and common faults

MOT tests in 2025, published 22 Jun 2026. DVSA publishes a new year each summer.

5,524 Smart Fortwo cars first used in 2009 had an MOT in 2025, at about 16 years old, and 63.4% passed first time. That is above the 58.3% for all cars first used in 2009.

The year is when the car was first used, as on its V5C log book, not the model year.

Common failures

The share of 2009 Smart Fortwo cars tested that failed on, or had fixed at the station, each item. Worth checking before the MOT or before you buy.

Most common 2009 Smart Fortwo MOT failure items
2009 Smart Fortwo common failures
ItemValue
Coil spring: fractured or broken6.2%
Position lamp: not working4.8%
Service brake performance: excessively binding3.9%
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.5%
Headlamp: not working on dipped beam3.4%
Stop lamp: not working3.3%

Source: DVSA, tests in 2025, published 22 June 2026.

Common advisories

Things the tester noticed that were not bad enough to fail. They often turn into failures later. What advisories mean for the next MOT.

Most common 2009 Smart Fortwo advisories
2009 Smart Fortwo common advisories
ItemValue
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material18.8%
Condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing15.0%
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge13.1%
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive8.2%
Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.7%
Coil spring: corroded5.3%

Source: DVSA, tests in 2025, published 22 June 2026.

Where the faults are

The share of cars tested with at least one failure or fix in each part of the car.

2009 Smart Fortwo faults by area
2009 Smart Fortwo faults by area
ItemValue
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment16.7%
Suspension14.2%
Brakes9.8%
Noise, emissions and leaks5.9%
Tyres5.4%
Visibility4.9%

Source: DVSA, tests in 2025, published 22 June 2026.

Typical mileage

Recorded mileage at the MOT. A car well above this range has done more work than most; one far below is worth a closer look at its MOT history.

2009 Smart Fortwo recorded mileage
2009 Smart Fortwo mileage
CarsLowTypicalHigh
5,51750,00067,100 miles85,800

The middle half of cars fall between the low and high figures. Source: DVSA, tests in 2025, published 22 June 2026.

Other Smart Fortwo years

Smart Fortwo first-time pass rate by year first used
YearTestsPassed first timeAll cars that year
20191,87685.9%83.5%
20183,36783.0%80.9%
20174,78980.2%78.2%
20165,69476.9%74.9%
20152,19875.8%71.9%
20143,70974.8%68.6%
20133,33270.7%65.8%
20122,62371.3%63.5%
20113,78868.4%61.2%
20105,16365.4%59.3%
20095,52463.4%58.3%
20084,52562.5%57.2%
20072,56860.3%57.4%
20061,62758.1%57.0%
20051,25259.7%57.6%

Checking one car?

These figures describe groups of cars. A vehicle history report shows the full MOT history, mileage, outstanding finance, write-offs and stolen records for one registration.

Figures from the DVSA anonymised MOT testing data for MOT tests in 2025, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Analysis by Motoring Insider. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. How we work out these figures.