12 min read Updated 3 Jan 2026

Most Reliable Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto Models: Real MOT Data Analysis

We analysed 1,598 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.

1,598 MOT tests analysed

Real DVSA data covering every Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto model from 2000-2023

Key Findings

Most Reliable Model

Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto UNCLASSIFIED

72.9% pass rate

Best Single Year

UNCLASSIFIED 2012 Petrol

72.5% pass rate

Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto vs National Average

72.8% vs 71.5%

+1.3% above average

Durability Champion

N/A

N/A

Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto has built its reputation on reliability, but does the data back it up? We analysed 1,598 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find out exactly which Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto models live up to the hype and which ones fall short.

This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering every Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto model sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.

How Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto Compares to Rivals

Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto ranks #38 out of 75 manufacturers with a 72.8% average MOT pass rate. That's above the national average of 71.5%:

Manufacturer Pass Rate Rank Tests Analysed
Toyota 74.0% #31 1,606,300
Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto 72.8% #38 1,598
Volkswagen 72.2% #43 2,967,545
Nissan 68.7% #50 1,612,552
Ford 68.5% #51 4,432,652
Vauxhall 65.4% #59 3,038,498

The verdict: Toyota maintains a lead among competitors, while Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto sits at #38. However, newer Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto models significantly outperform this average.

Best Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto Models by MOT Pass Rate

Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto's core models rank against the 71.5% national average:

Model Pass Rate vs National (71.5%) Tests Years
UNCLASSIFIED 72.9% +1.4% 1,581 2012-2013

Durability Champions: Which Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto Models Age Best?

Raw pass rates favour newer cars. This ranking compares each model against the national average for cars of the same age:

Model Year Fuel vs Same-Age Average Trend Context
UNCLASSIFIED 2012 Petrol +2.6% (70% at 11-12 years)
UNCLASSIFIED 2013 Petrol +2.2% (73% at 9-10 years)

How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age.

Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel

Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto's fuel type comparison shows clear differences in reliability:

Fuel Type Average Pass Rate vs National Tests
Petrol 72.9% +1.4% 1,581

Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto Models to Avoid

Not all Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Autos are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:

Model Year Fuel Pass Rate Tests
UNCLASSIFIED 2013 Petrol 73.4% (+2.2% vs same-age) 609
UNCLASSIFIED 2012 Petrol 72.5% (+2.6% vs same-age) 972

Pattern to avoid

Early 2012-2013 petrol UNCLASSIFIEDs are the models that drag down Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto's average. These vehicles fail MOTs more often than they pass.

What Goes Wrong on Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Autos?

When Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Autos fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:

Failure Category Total Failures
1. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 182
2. Brakes 118
3. Suspension 88
4. Tyres 75
5. Visibility 73
6. Noise, emissions and leaks 39
7. Body, chassis, structure 32

Pre-MOT checklist for Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto owners:

  • Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
  • Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
  • Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
  • Ensure tyres meet 1.6mm tread requirement
  • Clean windscreen and check wiper blade condition

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on 1,598 MOT tests, the Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto UNCLASSIFIED is the most reliable Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto with an 72.9% pass rate.
Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto ranks #38 out of 75 manufacturers with a 72.8% average MOT pass rate. This places them behind Toyota, but ahead of Volkswagen, Nissan, Ford.

Our Buying Recommendations

Best If Buying Nearly New

2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates

  • Limited data for recent models

Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models

Best If Buying Used (Proven)

11+ years of proven durability data

  • Limited proven durability data available

Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)

Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic

  • No major proven reliability concerns

About This Data

This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 1,598 tests on Smart Fortwo Passion Mhd Auto vehicles between 2000 and 2023.

Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.

Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.

Minimum thresholds: 500 tests for proven durability rankings, 1,000 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.

The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.51% based on 32.3 million tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).

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