Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet?

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 2008 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet?

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 2008 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet?

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 2008 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

35% 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 2008 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,105 vehicles, the 2008 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet has a first-time MOT pass rate of 77.2%, 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 2008 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet?

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.

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Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet (2008)

1,105 real MOT outcomes analysed • 77.2% first-time pass rate

2008 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet

CarHunch analysed 1,105 real MOT records for the 2008 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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

The 2008 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet passes its MOT on first attempt 77.2% of the time, slightly below the UK average of 80%, but the real concern is that over a third of these cars (34.5%) have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history—well above acceptable levels. This suggests systemic reliability problems beyond minor wear items.

At 44,239 miles median, these cars are relatively low-mileage for their age, yet they're averaging 4.11 failures and 15.7 advisories per test, indicating that age and design rather than heavy use is driving the defects. Before buying one, request the full MOT history and specifically ask about any dangerous defect notices, then budget for regular mechanical attention.

The 2008 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet has a decent first-time pass rate (77.2%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ 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

77.2%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

34.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.11

Over 16.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

44k

Middle half: 33k–58k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 15.7 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 1,105 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 1,105 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet cars.

Before you buy a 2008 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet

Based on MOT data from 1,105 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 34.5% 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 (100%)	1,104	77.2%	4.11

Colour Breakdown

Based on 5,725 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 38.9%

2,227

Black 32.5%

1,859

White 12%

688

Red 5.2%

297

Blue 4.7%

269

Grey 3.5%

200

Yellow 1.1%

Pink 0.7%

Green 0.7%

Orange 0.5%

Cream 0.2%

Maroon 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet 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.

44,239

typical

32,709

low mileage

57,789

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet vehicles fall between 32,709 and 57,789 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 32,709 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.

✓ 32,709–57,789 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolets sit.

⚠ Over 78,015 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2008 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet — Still on the Road

Most 2008 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolets are still being driven.

759 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

16.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.11

Avg failures per vehicle

15.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2009 2010 2011 2012

Or browse all models: Smart (mcc) →

Compare with another model

See how the 2008 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing