2009 Smart (Mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,510 MOT tests analysed for the 2009 Smart (Mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 78.5% was above the average for cars of a similar age (75.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 27.1% in the 120-150k group versus 18.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 679 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.1% | 555 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.0% | 439 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.1% | 228 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.8% | 210 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.3% | 183 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 335 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 291 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 268 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 243 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 200 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 140 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 27.1% | 1,491 |
| 2 | Tyres | 22.7% | 1,248 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.5% | 853 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 7.1% | 390 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.0% | 384 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.9% | 328 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 416 | 18.3% |
| 30-60k | 2,308 | 20.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,015 | 22.8% |
| 90-120k | 621 | 22.2% |
| 120-150k | 122 | 27.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,601 | 21.0% |
| Diesel | 909 | 23.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,173 | 21.3% |
| 2022 | 1,138 | 21.0% |
| 2023 | 1,119 | 20.6% |
| 2024 | 1,060 | 21.6% |
| 2025 | 1,020 | 22.8% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Fortwo Cabriolet
Before buying a 2009 Smart (Mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 12.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (8.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2009 Smart (Mcc) Fortwo Cabriolets pass their MOT?
78.5% of the 5,510 2009 Smart (Mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Smart (Mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.3% of tests, followed by suspension (10.1%).
Does the 2009 Fortwo Cabriolet get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.3% in the 0-30k band to 27.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,510 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.