Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 Smart (mcc) Fortwo 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) Fortwo 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) Fortwo 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) Fortwo Coupe vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

36% 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) Fortwo Coupe reliable?

Based on MOT data from 5,296 vehicles, the 2009 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe 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 2009 Smart (mcc) Fortwo 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) Fortwo Coupe (2009)

5,296 real MOT outcomes analysed • 77.2% first-time pass rate

2009 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe

CarHunch analysed 5,296 real MOT records for the 2009 Smart (mcc) Fortwo 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 Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

This 2009 Fortwo trails the UK average pass rate by 2.8 percentage points at 77.2%, which is a modest shortfall but not alarming. More concerning is that 35.6% of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects during their MOT history—significantly above the typical threshold—suggesting buyers should factor in higher repair costs and more frequent mechanical issues than average.

At 47,320 miles on average, these cars have covered reasonable mileage for their age, but the 3.79 failures and 14.9 advisories per vehicle point to accumulating wear and aging components. Petrol variants perform marginally better at 77.9% pass rate versus diesel at 75.2%, so choose petrol if you have the choice—and budget for regular, thorough inspections before purchase to identify those defects upfront.

The 2009 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe 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)

35.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.79

Over 15.7 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

43k

Middle half: 31k–55k

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 14.9 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 5,296 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 5,296 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe cars.

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 2.6 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

77.9%

Petrol

3,914 vehicles

75.3%

Diesel

1,382 vehicles

Before you buy a 2009 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe

Based on MOT data from 5,296 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 35.6% 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 (74%)	3,914	77.9%	3.67
Diesel (26%)	1,382	75.3%	4.11

Colour Breakdown

Based on 27,461 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 39.2%

10,759

Silver 32.7%

8,970

White 12.1%

3,334

Red 4.8%

1,319

Blue 4.7%

1,296

Grey 3.7%

1,006

Yellow 0.9%

239

Green 0.6%

173

Pink 0.6%

153

Orange 0.4%

104

Brown 0.2%

Multi-colour 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Smart (mcc) Fortwo 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.

42,704

typical

30,901

low mileage

55,385

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe vehicles fall between 30,901 and 55,385 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 30,901 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.

✓ 30,901–55,385 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupes sit.

⚠ Over 74,769 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) Fortwo Coupe — Still on the Road

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

3,607 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 74% 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

15.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.79

Avg failures per vehicle

14.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2010 2011 2012

Or browse all models: Smart (mcc) →

Compare with another model

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

Watch for defects — worth knowing