2020 Smart Eq Fortwo Pulse — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 642 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Smart Eq Fortwo Pulse, the most common recorded failure areas were visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 93.5% was above the average for cars of a similar age (90.5%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 3.9% | 25 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.1% | 20 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.0% | 13 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.1% | 7 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.6% | 4 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.2% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 26 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 6 |
| 3 | Washers | 5 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 5 |
| 5 | Horn | 4 |
| 6 | Size/type | 3 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.6% | 55 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.6% | 49 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.6% | 17 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.2% | 14 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.6% | 4 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.5% | 3 |
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 | 608 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 32 | 15.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 205 | 3.9% |
| 2024 | 219 | 8.7% |
| 2025 | 215 | 7.0% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Eq Fortwo Pulse
Before buying a 2020 Smart Eq Fortwo Pulse, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Visibility accounted for 3.9% of tests for this year.
- Visibility (3.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (3.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (2.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2020 Smart Eq Fortwo Pulses pass their MOT?
93.5% of the 642 2020 Smart Eq Fortwo Pulse MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Smart Eq Fortwo Pulse?
Visibility, recorded in 3.9% of tests, followed by tyres (3.1%).
Does the 2020 Eq Fortwo Pulse get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 15.6% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 642 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.