Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2013 Smart (mcc) Fortwo?

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 2013 Smart (mcc) Fortwo?

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 2013 Smart (mcc) Fortwo?

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 2013 Smart (mcc) Fortwo vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

30% 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 2013 Smart (mcc) Fortwo reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,004 vehicles, the 2013 Smart (mcc) Fortwo has a first-time MOT pass rate of 82.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2013 Smart (mcc) Fortwo?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2013 Smart (mcc) Fortwo are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (35.1% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (33.4% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (29.9% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2013 Smart (mcc) Fortwo?

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 (2013)

1,004 real MOT outcomes analysed • 82.9% first-time pass rate

2013 Smart (mcc) Fortwo

CarHunch analysed 1,004 real MOT records for the 2013 Smart (mcc) Fortwo. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2013 Smart Fortwo petrol passes MOT at 82.9%, which is a shade above the UK average of 80%—a modest positive sign. However, nearly 30% of these vehicles have picked up a dangerous defect at some point, which is well above acceptable and a genuine concern for any prospective buyer.

These Fortwos average just 36,600 miles across their fleet, suggesting they've been gently used city runabouts, yet they still rack up 1.95 failures and 8.4 advisories per vehicle on test. The high advisory count points to wear in minor systems rather than structural failure, but the frequency of dangerous defects means you should demand a thorough pre-purchase inspection and pay close attention to brake and suspension condition before committing.

The 2013 Smart (mcc) Fortwo has a decent first-time pass rate (82.9%), 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

82.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

29.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.95

Over 10.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

35k

Middle half: 25k–45k

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 8.4 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 1,004 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

What tends to go wrong

Across 1,004 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 35.1%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 29.9%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 16.1%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread · Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view

Exhaust & emissions 8.7%

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2013.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,004 Smart (mcc) Fortwo cars.

Before you buy a 2013 Smart (mcc) Fortwo

Based on MOT data from 1,004 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 29.6% 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 (86%)	864	82.7%	1.98
Diesel (9%)	94	82.5%	1.83

Colour Breakdown

Based on 23,991 Smart (mcc) Fortwo vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 41.4%

9,943

White 26.2%

6,278

Silver 10.5%

2,518

Grey 5.5%

1,315

Red 4.9%

1,164

Blue 4.8%

1,148

Orange 4.4%

1,053

Yellow 1.5%

354

Green 0.4%

103

Brown 0.4%

Pink 0%

Multi-colour 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2013 Smart (mcc) Fortwo 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.

34,716

typical

24,949

low mileage

45,160

high mileage

Half of all 2013 Smart (mcc) Fortwo vehicles fall between 24,949 and 45,160 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 24,949 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.

✓ 24,949–45,160 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2013 Smart (mcc) Fortwos sit.

⚠ Over 60,966 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2013 Smart (mcc) Fortwo — Still on the Road

Almost all 2013 Smart (mcc) Fortwos are still on the road.

Strong survival — 819 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 92% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2016–2025.
* 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

10.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.95

Avg failures per vehicle

8.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Or browse all models: Smart (mcc) →

Compare with another model

See how the 2013 Smart (mcc) Fortwo stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing