Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 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 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 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 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 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 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Auto vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

24% 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 Fortwo Passion 71 Auto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 768 vehicles, the 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 77.8%, 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 Fortwo Passion 71 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.

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Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Auto (2008)

768 real MOT outcomes analysed • 77.8% first-time pass rate

2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Auto

CarHunch analysed 768 real MOT records for the 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Auto. 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

This 2008 Smart ForTwo is a genuine reliability concern: only 51.7% pass the MOT first time, nearly 30 percentage points below the UK average of 80%, and nearly a quarter of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point. The petrol engine variant fares similarly poorly at 50.1%, offering no escape route for buyers.

At an average mileage of 50,103 miles for a 16-year-old car, these ForTwos have been used moderately, yet they're racking up an average of 2.47 failures and 8.4 advisories per test—suggesting inherent durability issues rather than just wear and tear. If you're considering one, budget for regular repairs and get a full pre-purchase inspection from a specialist; the low pass rate indicates you'll be visiting a garage frequently.

The 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Auto passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (77.8%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ 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

77.8%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

24.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.47

Over 10.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

49k

Middle half: 34k–62k

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 768 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.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 768 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Auto cars.

Before you buy a 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Auto

Based on MOT data from 768 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 24.2% 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 (94%)	724	77.7%	2.52

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,122 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Auto vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 57.2%

642

Black 30.8%

346

Blue 4.2%

White 3.3%

Red 2.3%

Yellow 2.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 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.

48,504

typical

34,241

low mileage

61,823

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Auto vehicles fall between 34,241 and 61,823 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 34,241 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.

✓ 34,241–61,823 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Autos sit.

⚠ Over 83,461 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 Fortwo Passion 71 Auto — Still on the Road

Most 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Autos are still being driven.

328 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 79% 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

10.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.47

Avg failures per vehicle

8.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Auto: All Fortwo Passion 71 Auto years → Which year to buy? →

2007

Or browse all models: Smart →

Compare with another model

See how the 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion 71 Auto stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?