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Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto car check

Is the Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto reliable? We analysed 8,517 real MOT tests across 697 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto? Enter the reg for a free check:

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Data last updated: · Based on 8,517 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
78.1%
Typical Mileage
50,040mi
Annual Mileage
3,961mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
17yrs

The Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, coil spring broken and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto.

Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

79.7%
2013
78.7%
2012
79.3%
2011
78.5%
2010
75.7%
2009

Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 101
coil spring broken 64
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 61

Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 170

Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
2,018 mi/yr
Typical
3,961 mi/yr
Average
5,187 mi/yr
Heavy usage
7,027 mi/yr

Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2013 2,137 79.7% 26,218 40,779 60,374
2012 1,094 78.7% 30,326 48,698 68,475
2011 1,620 79.3% 33,132 50,639 67,469
2010 642 78.5% 33,111 47,792 67,190
2009 2,768 75.7% 37,692 56,817 80,884

How Long Does a Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto Last?

Based on 697 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.0 years
Median
12.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
17 years

Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
50,040 mi
75th Percentile
71,286 mi
95th Percentile
107,178 mi
Max Recorded
874,332 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2013

79.7% MOT pass rate from 2,137 tests

Year to avoid
2009

75.7% MOT pass rate from 2,768 tests

The best year to buy a used Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto is 2013, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.7% across 2,137 tests. The 2009 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto THIS CAR 78.1% 8,517 50,040 mi 17 yrs
Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) 74% 44,118 54,896 mi 23 yrs
Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto 79.4% 44,035 38,367 mi 18 yrs
Smart City Passion 61 Auto 73% 27,463 48,099 mi 23 yrs
Kawasaki VN1500 P1H 86.3% 3,603 15,163 mi 24 yrs

Compared to the Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) (74.0% pass rate) and the Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto (79.4% pass rate), the Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto?

The Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.1% across 8,517 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (101 recorded failures), coil spring broken (64), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (61). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto owner drives around 3,961 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto models stay on UK roads for around 17 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto reliable?
Based on 8,517 MOT tests, the Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto has a 78.1% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, coil spring broken, and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto do per year?
The typical Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto does around 3,961 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto last?
Most Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto models stay on UK roads for around 17 years based on our analysis of 697 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto is 2013 with a 79.7% pass rate across 2,137 tests.