Smart City common problems and MOT pass rate
In 2025, DVSA recorded 4,850 initial MOT tests on the Smart City in Great Britain, and 60.1% passed first time. Here is where the rest failed.
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Smart City at the MOT, 2025
- Initial MOT tests
- 4,850
- Passed first timeAll cars and vans: 72.1%
- 60.1%
- Failed at firstIncluding 6.9% repaired at the test and passed (PRS)
- 39.9%
- Had a dangerous defectAll cars and vans: 7.3%
- 6.5%
- Licensed in the UKEnd of 2026 Q2, plus 2,488 off the road (SORN)
- 3,325
Contains DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, year 2025.
Failure areas
Where the City fails its MOT
The share of initial tests in 2025 with at least one fail or PRS item in each part of the MOT. A test can fail in more than one area, so these do not add up to the fail rate.
1Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
23.0%
Headlamps and their aim, brake lights, indicators, fog and reversing lamps, warning lights, battery and wiringAll cars and vans: 10.8%
2Suspension
12.7%
Springs, shock absorbers, suspension arms and bushes, anti-roll bars, wheel bearings and axlesAll cars and vans: 9.0%
3Visibility
10.9%
The driver's view, windscreen damage, wipers, washers and mirrorsAll cars and vans: 4.4%
4Brakes
8.8%
Pedal and handbrake, pipes and hoses, discs, pads and drums, and how well the car stopsAll cars and vans: 6.4%
5Noise, emissions and leaks
8.1%
Exhaust emissions and smoke, exhaust noise and fluid leaksAll cars and vans: 3.2%
6Body, chassis and structure
5.1%
Corrosion and damage to the structure, the exhaust system, fuel system, doors, seats, towbar, bumpers and engine mountingsAll cars and vans: 3.3%
7Tyres
5.0%
Tread depth, cuts and bulges, the right size and type, valves and tyre pressure warning systemsAll cars and vans: 6.2%
8Steering
2.7%
Steering rack, joints and linkages, power steering, the steering wheel and columnAll cars and vans: 2.0%
9Seat belts and airbags
1.5%
Seat belts, airbags and the airbag warning lightAll cars and vans: 1.0%
10Registration plates and VIN
0.6%
Number plates and the vehicle identification numberAll cars and vans: 0.3%
This modelAll cars and vans
Parts
The parts that fail most
Share of initial tests with a fail or PRS item on each part, 2025.
- Headlamp aimLamps and electrics9.6%
- WashersVisibility8.4%
- Exhaust emissionsEmissions and leaks7.8%
- HeadlampsLamps and electrics7.1%
- Stop lampLamps and electrics6.7%
- Suspension armsSuspension5.1%
- Brake performanceBrakes4.8%
- SpringsSuspension4.4%
By age
Pass rate by year first used
Older cars fail more often, so compare a car with others of its year. Cars up to 25 years old; years with fewer than 250 tests are left out.
| First used | Tests | Passed first time | Dangerous defect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 518 | 57.9% | 6.2% |
| 2006 | 714 | 58.0% | 6.7% |
| 2005 | 542 | 60.7% | 7.9% |
| 2004 | 859 | 62.4% | 6.2% |
| 2003 | 934 | 59.3% | 6.2% |
| 2002 | 589 | 56.4% | 7.8% |
Mileage
City mileage by age
The median reading at the test: half the cars of that age had covered more, half less. Estimated from 1,000-mile bands, for cars up to 25 years old.
A car well above or below the typical figure is not a problem in itself, but the readings should rise steadily from one MOT to the next. A fall, or a long gap, is worth asking about.
Check a car's mileage record| Age at test | Median mileage | Readings |
|---|---|---|
| 18 years | 65,100 miles | 773 |
| 19 years | 66,900 miles | 565 |
| 20 years | 68,400 miles | 660 |
| 21 years | 68,800 miles | 1,010 |
| 22 years | 68,000 miles | 722 |
| 23 years | 63,700 miles | 331 |
Checking a particular City?
Averages tell you what to look at. The registration tells you about this car: every MOT since 2005 with its failures and advisories, each mileage reading, and whether it is taxed.
Questions
Smart City: common questions
Contains DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, year 2025.