Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2006 Smart City Passion 61 Auto?

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 2006 Smart City Passion 61 Auto?

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 2006 Smart City Passion 61 Auto?

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 2006 Smart City Passion 61 Auto 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 2006 Smart City Passion 61 Auto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 346 vehicles, the 2006 Smart City Passion 61 Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.1%, 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 2006 Smart City Passion 61 Auto?

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 City Passion 61 Auto (2006)

346 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74.1% first-time pass rate

2006 Smart City Passion 61 Auto

CarHunch analysed 346 real MOT records for the 2006 Smart City Passion 61 Auto. 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 Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 346 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

This 2006 Smart City-Passion is a genuine reliability concern: just 62.9% pass first time versus the UK average of 80%, and a worrying 35% have suffered dangerous defects during their MOT history—nearly double the acceptable threshold. These are cars that will cost you money and potentially put you at risk.

At 47,000 miles median, these vehicles have been relatively light-use, yet they're still averaging 4.14 failures and 15.6 advisories per test, which signals inherent structural or mechanical weakness rather than wear-and-tear from heavy mileage. If you're considering one, budget for serious pre-purchase inspection by a specialist, check the full MOT history for the specific vehicle yourself, and walk away if you see a pattern of repeated dangerous defect repairs.

The 2006 Smart City Passion 61 Auto has a below-average first-time pass rate (74.1% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ 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

74.1%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

35%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.14

Over 15 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

47k

Middle half: 35k–58k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 15.6 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 346 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.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 346 Smart City Passion 61 Auto cars.

Before you buy a 2006 Smart City Passion 61 Auto

Based on MOT data from 346 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 35% 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 (95%)	329	73.6%	4.29

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,854 Smart City Passion 61 Auto vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 79.8%

1,480

Black 14.7%

273

Blue 2.1%

Red 1.6%

Grey 0.5%

Cream 0.5%

White 0.4%

Pink 0.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2006 Smart City Passion 61 Auto 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.

47,041

typical

34,702

low mileage

57,684

high mileage

Half of all 2006 Smart City Passion 61 Auto vehicles fall between 34,702 and 57,684 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 34,702 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.

✓ 34,702–57,684 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2006 Smart City Passion 61 Autos sit.

⚠ Over 77,873 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2006 Smart City Passion 61 Auto — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 52% of 2006 Smart City Passion 61 Autos are still active.

127 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 52% 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

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.14

Avg failures per vehicle

15.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Smart City Passion 61 Auto: All City Passion 61 Auto years → Which year to buy? →

2003 2004 2005 2007

Or browse all models: Smart →

Compare with another model

See how the 2006 Smart City Passion 61 Auto stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on