Most Reliable Smart (Mcc) Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 77,283 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Smart (Mcc) models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
77,283 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Smart (Mcc) model from 1998-2021
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Smart (Mcc) FORFOUR
75.6% pass rate
Best Single Year
FORTWO 2013 Petrol
75.9% pass rate
Smart (Mcc) vs National Average
72.5% vs 71.4%
+1.0% above average
Proven Durability Champion
ROADSTER
+16.9% at 18-20 years
Smart (Mcc) sits near the middle of UK manufacturer rankings. We analysed 77,283 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to identify which Smart (Mcc) models outperform the brand average and which to avoid.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering Smart (Mcc) models sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Smart (Mcc) Compares to Rivals
Smart (Mcc) ranks #125 out of 180 manufacturers with a 72.5% average MOT pass rate. That's above the national average of 71.4%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | 73.8% | #115 | 1,637,457 |
| Smart (Mcc) | 72.5% | #125 | 77,283 |
| Volkswagen | 71.9% | #129 | 3,034,850 |
| Nissan | 68.6% | #142 | 1,626,183 |
| Ford | 68.5% | #143 | 4,473,074 |
| Vauxhall | 65.4% | #155 | 3,052,659 |
The verdict: Toyota maintains a lead among competitors, while Smart (Mcc) sits at #125.
Best Smart (Mcc) Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Smart (Mcc)'s core models rank against the 71.4% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.4%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORFOUR | 75.6% | +4.2% | 23,095 | 2004-2020 |
| FORTWO | 72.8% | +1.4% | 46,431 | 1999-2021 |
| CITY | 58.8% | -12.7% | 5,812 | 1998-2013 |
* Compared to overall 71.4% national average across all years. For year-adjusted comparisons that account for newer cars passing more often, see individual model breakdowns below.
Proven Durability Champions: Which Smart (Mcc) Models Age Best?
These Smart (Mcc) models show solid long-term reliability based on 11+ years of MOT data. Here's how they compare to the national average for cars of the same age:
High-confidence data: Only vehicles with 11+ years of MOT history and 100+ tests are included in this ranking.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROADSTER | - | All | +16.9% | 18-20 years | 73.0% |
| FORTWO | - | All | +5.0% | 15-17 years | 62.8% |
| FORTWO | - | All | +3.4% | 11-14 years | 68.1% |
| CITY | - | All | +2.5% | 18-20 years | 58.6% |
| FORTWO | - | All | +2.1% | 18-20 years | 58.2% |
| CITY | - | All | +0.8% | 15-17 years | 58.6% |
| FORFOUR | - | All | +0.7% | 18-20 years | 56.9% |
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. These are proven results from vehicles that have genuinely aged well.
Proven durability champion
The ROADSTER outperforms the average 18-20 years-old car by 17 percentage points, with 753 MOT tests proving its reliability.
Early Performers: Strong Start, Unproven Durability
These newer Smart (Mcc) models (3-6 years old) show strong early results, but haven't yet proven long-term durability:
Important caveat: Durability NOT yet proven - too early to assess long-term reliability. Older versions of the same model may tell a different story at 11+ years.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORTWO | - | All | +4.1% | 8-10 years | 79.5% |
| FORTWO | - | All | +0.3% | 3-7 years | 85.0% |
What this means: These models are performing well in their early years, but we recommend checking the Durability Champions section above to see how older versions of the same model family have fared over time.
Smart (Mcc) FORTWO: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The FORTWO has 46,431 tests in our database with an overall 72.8% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Petrol | 87.7% | +1.4% | 1,564 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 85.2% | +1.0% | 3,126 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 83.0% | +1.3% | 4,728 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 80.9% | +2.2% | 5,731 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 78.6% | +3.1% | 2,174 |
| 2014 | Petrol | 77.9% | +6.2% | 3,634 |
| 2013 | Petrol | 75.8% | +7.5% | 805 |
| 2012 | Petrol | 73.1% | +7.5% | 1,635 |
| 2011 | Petrol | 68.0% | +5.0% | 2,567 |
| 2011 | Diesel | 67.1% | +4.1% | 602 |
| 2010 | Petrol | 65.5% | +5.0% | 3,504 |
| 2010 | Diesel | 63.4% | +2.9% | 1,208 |
| ... | ||||
| 2005 | Petrol | 54.7% | -1.6% | 761 |
| 2004 | Petrol | 58.8% | +2.8% | 691 |
FORTWO verdict: Avoid the 2005 petrol (54.7%).
Avoid 2005 and 2004 FORTWOs
The 2005 petrol FORTWO has a 54.7% pass rate, well below the national average.
Smart (Mcc) FORFOUR: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The FORFOUR has 23,095 tests in our database with an overall 75.6% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Petrol | 85.0% | -1.3% | 1,794 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 83.5% | -0.8% | 3,698 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 79.4% | -2.3% | 4,736 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 74.5% | -4.2% | 5,283 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 70.4% | -5.1% | 5,549 |
| 2005 | Petrol | 56.9% | +0.6% | 598 |
| ... | ||||
| 2005 | Petrol | 56.9% | +0.6% | 598 |
FORFOUR verdict: Avoid the 2005 petrol (56.9%).
Avoid the 2005 FORFOUR
The 2005 petrol FORFOUR has a 56.9% pass rate, well below the national average.
Smart (Mcc) Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Reliability varies by fuel type for Smart (Mcc). Here's how each performs:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 87.5% | +16.0% | 1,299 |
| Petrol | 72.7% | +1.2% | 72,214 |
| Diesel | 62.9% | -8.5% | 3,751 |
Smart (Mcc) Models to Avoid
Not all Smart (Mcc)s are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:
| Model | Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORTWO COUPE | 2005 | Petrol | 52.6% | 559 |
| CITY COUPE | 2003 | Petrol | 56.2% | 1,120 |
| CITY COUPE | 2002 | Petrol | 57.3% | 749 |
| CITY COUPE | 2007 | Petrol | 57.2% | 523 |
| FORFOUR | 2005 | Petrol | 56.8% | 597 |
| FORTWO COUPE | 2004 | Petrol | 57.2% | 575 |
| CITY COUPE | 2006 | Petrol | 57.9% | 636 |
| CITY COUPE | 2004 | Petrol | 59.2% | 811 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2004-2005 petrol FORTWO COUPEs, 2002-2007 petrol CITY COUPEs are the models that drag down Smart (Mcc)'s average. These are the weakest performers in the lineup.
What Goes Wrong on Smart (Mcc)s?
When Smart (Mcc)s fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8,495 |
| 2. Suspension | 5,398 |
| 3. Visibility | 4,875 |
| 4. Brakes | 4,736 |
| 5. Tyres | 4,578 |
| 6. Noise, emissions and leaks | 3,324 |
| 7. Body, chassis, structure | 1,888 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Smart (Mcc) owners:
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
- Clean windscreen and check wiper blade condition
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Ensure tyres meet 1.6mm tread requirement
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- FORTWO 2019 Petrol: 88% pass rate
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- ROADSTER (18-20 years): +17% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
Smart (Mcc) 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 77,283 tests on Smart (Mcc) 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: 100 tests for proven durability rankings, 100 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.44% based on 32,300,000 tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
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