Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 Smart (mcc) City Coupe?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2009 Smart (mcc) City Coupe?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2009 Smart (mcc) City Coupe?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2009 Smart (mcc) City Coupe vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

38% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2009 Smart (mcc) City Coupe reliable?

Based on MOT data from 154 vehicles, the 2009 Smart (mcc) City Coupe has a first-time MOT pass rate of 77.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2009 Smart (mcc) City Coupe?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

CarHunch

Get Started

Smart (mcc) City Coupe (2009)

154 real MOT outcomes analysed • 77.6% first-time pass rate

2009 Smart (mcc) City Coupe

CarHunch analysed 154 real MOT records for the 2009 Smart (mcc) City Coupe. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2009 Smart City Coupe falls slightly below the UK average with a 77.6% first-time pass rate, but the real concern is that 37.7% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—nearly double the typical threshold. This is a meaningful reliability red flag for used-car buyers, regardless of the relatively low mileage these cars have typically covered (median 45,258 miles).

At 15.4 advisories per test, these Smarts rack up minor wear-and-tear issues at a rate well above normal, suggesting age-related deterioration is catching up with the model despite modest mileage. Before committing to a 2009 example, have an independent mechanic inspect the braking and steering systems specifically, as dangerous defects on this generation often cluster there.

We have limited data for the 2009 Smart (mcc) City Coupe — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

77.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

37.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.89

Over 16.2 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

45k

Middle half: 32k–54k

For context

These stats describe 154 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 154 Smart (mcc) City Coupe cars.

Before you buy a 2009 Smart (mcc) City Coupe

Based on MOT data from 154 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 37.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (81%)	125	77.5%	4.05

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Smart (mcc) City Coupe vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

45,258

typical

31,711

low mileage

54,162

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Smart (mcc) City Coupe vehicles fall between 31,711 and 54,162 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 31,711 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 31,711–54,162 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Smart (mcc) City Coupes sit.

⚠ Over 73,118 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Smart (mcc) City Coupe — Still on the Road

Most 2009 Smart (mcc) City Coupes are still being driven.

111 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 77% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

16.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.89

Avg failures per vehicle

15.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Smart (mcc) City Coupe: All City Coupe years → Which year to buy? →

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2010

Or browse all models: Smart (mcc) →

Compare with another model

See how the 2009 Smart (mcc) City Coupe stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing