2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,147 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 78.0% was above the average for cars of a similar age (75.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 22.1% in the 120-150k group versus 14.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 309 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.7% | 186 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.2% | 154 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.7% | 101 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.5% | 97 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.5% | 96 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 118 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 109 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 106 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 94 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 92 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 81 |
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 | 23.7% | 508 |
| 2 | Tyres | 22.0% | 473 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.6% | 291 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 7.8% | 168 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.0% | 130 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.7% | 100 |
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 | 123 | 14.6% |
| 30-60k | 683 | 21.2% |
| 60-90k | 864 | 22.9% |
| 90-120k | 370 | 23.0% |
| 120-150k | 86 | 22.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 469 | 22.0% |
| 2022 | 434 | 20.3% |
| 2023 | 447 | 23.5% |
| 2024 | 404 | 20.8% |
| 2025 | 393 | 23.4% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Fortwo Passion 71 Auto
Before buying a 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (14.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.7% 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 (7.2% 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 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Autos pass their MOT?
78.0% of the 2,147 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Auto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.4% of tests, followed by suspension (8.7%).
Does the 2008 Fortwo Passion 71 Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.6% in the 0-30k band to 22.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,147 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.