2012 Smart City: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the Smart City first registered in 2012: we looked at the 136 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 136 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
Common 2012 Smart City MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2012 Smart City MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Brakes34% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Tyres28% of testsRough price £70–£150
At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
- Lights and electrics15% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Suspension12% of testsRough price £120–£400
At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Exhaust and emissions7% of testsRough price £100–£1,200
At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors7% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Smart City
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Smart City?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Smart City compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 116 | Brakes 27% |
| 2010 | 243 | Brakes 33% |
| 2009 | 358 | Suspension 30% |
| 2008 | 284 | Brakes 37% |
| 2007 | 1,377 | Suspension 40% |
| 2006 | 1,686 | Suspension 38% |
| 2005 | 1,109 | Suspension 39% |
| 2004 | 2,009 | Lights and electrics 36% |
| 2003 | 2,776 | Lights and electrics 38% |
| 2002 | 1,861 | Lights and electrics 39% |
| 2001 | 516 | Brakes 35% |
| 2000 | 180 | Lights and electrics 39% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Smart City cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score