Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2012 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 2012 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 2012 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 2012 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

33% 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 2012 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet reliable?

Based on MOT data from 390 vehicles, the 2012 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet has a first-time MOT pass rate of 84.4%, 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 2012 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 (2012)

390 real MOT outcomes analysed • 84.4% first-time pass rate

2012 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet

CarHunch analysed 390 real MOT records for the 2012 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

Moderate sample. 390 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2012 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet passes its first MOT at 84.4%, which is comfortably above the UK average of 80%—solid reliability on paper. However, nearly one in three of these cars (32.8%) has recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a meaningful concern for a used buyer and worth a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

These Fortwos average just under 39,000 miles, which is reasonable for a 12-year-old car, but they rack up 10 advisories per vehicle on average—suggesting wear-and-tear issues are common rather than catastrophic. Before buying, have a mechanic specifically check the convertible roof mechanism and seals, as cabriolets tend to develop expensive problems in those areas.

The 2012 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet has a decent first-time pass rate (84.4%), 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

84.4%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

32.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.09

Over 12.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

36k

Middle half: 26k–47k

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 10 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 390 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 390 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet cars.

Before you buy a 2012 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet

Based on MOT data from 390 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 32.8% 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 (93%)	363	84.4%	2.1

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 2012 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.

35,579

typical

26,058

low mileage

47,318

high mileage

Half of all 2012 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet vehicles fall between 26,058 and 47,318 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 26,058 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.

✓ 26,058–47,318 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2012 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolets sit.

⚠ Over 63,879 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2012 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet — Still on the Road

Most 2012 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolets are still being driven.

Strong survival — 322 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 83% of the peak.

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

12.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.09

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Or browse all models: Smart (mcc) →

Compare with another model

See how the 2012 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing