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Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto car check

Is the Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto reliable? We analysed 1,758 real MOT tests across 110 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto? Enter the reg for a free check:

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,758 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
70.8%
Typical Mileage
54,807mi
Annual Mileage
3,835mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
19yrs

The Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto is about 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 Pure 71 Auto.

Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

69.7%
2008
71.2%
2007

Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Smart Fortwo Pure 71 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 30
coil spring broken 26
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 23
Headlamp not working on dipped beam 23
position lamp(s) not working 18

Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 20

Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
2,058 mi/yr
Typical
3,835 mi/yr
Average
4,974 mi/yr
Heavy usage
6,507 mi/yr

Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2008 1,114 69.7% 35,353 55,842 75,833
2007 563 71.2% 35,706 51,426 73,304

Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
54,807 mi
75th Percentile
75,713 mi
95th Percentile
103,926 mi
Max Recorded
152,579 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto

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

Best year
2007

71.2% MOT pass rate from 563 tests

Year to avoid
2008

69.7% MOT pass rate from 1,114 tests

The best year to buy a used Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto is 2007, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 71.2% across 563 tests. The 2008 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.7% — 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 Pure 71 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 Pure 71 Auto THIS CAR 70.8% 1,758 54,807 mi 19 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
Peugeot 308 Allure E-hdi 86.8% 688 81,470 mi — 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 Pure 71 Auto trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto?

The Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.8% across 1,758 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (30 recorded failures), coil spring broken (26), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (23). 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 Pure 71 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 Pure 71 Auto owner drives around 3,835 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 Pure 71 Auto models stay on UK roads for around 19 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 Pure 71 Auto — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto reliable?
Based on 1,758 MOT tests, the Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto has a 70.8% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Smart Fortwo Pure 71 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 Pure 71 Auto do per year?
The typical Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto does around 3,835 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto last?
Most Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto models stay on UK roads for around 19 years based on our analysis of 110 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Smart Fortwo Pure 71 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 Pure 71 Auto?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Smart Fortwo Pure 71 Auto is 2007 with a 71.2% pass rate across 563 tests.