Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI 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 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI 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 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI 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 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto 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 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 106 vehicles, the 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 80.5%, 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 Fortwo Passion CDI 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 CDI Auto (2012)

106 real MOT outcomes analysed • 80.5% first-time pass rate

2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto

CarHunch analysed 106 real MOT records for the 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto. 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 Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2012 Smart ForTwo Passion CDI diesel struggles compared to the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of just 72.9% against the national 80%—and a serious red flag is that 35.9% of these cars have experienced a dangerous defect, nearly double the typical threshold for concern. That's a meaningful reliability problem you should factor into your purchase decision.

At 47,000 miles median mileage for a 12-year-old car, these vehicles have been driven gently, yet they're still averaging 2.29 failures and 9.1 advisories per test, pointing to age-related wear rather than abuse or high mileage. Before buying, insist on a full pre-purchase inspection and ask the seller for complete service history, because this model's track record suggests preventative maintenance is critical to avoiding costly surprises.

We have limited data for the 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ 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

80.5%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

35.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.29

Over 10.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

47k

Middle half: 32k–69k

For context

These stats describe 106 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 106 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto cars.

Before you buy a 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto

Based on MOT data from 106 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 35.9% 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
Diesel (98%)	104	80.8%	2.3

Mileage Distribution

Most 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI 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.

47,247

typical

32,493

low mileage

69,185

high mileage

Half of all 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto vehicles fall between 32,493 and 69,185 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 32,493 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.

✓ 32,493–69,185 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Autos sit.

⚠ Over 93,399 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 Fortwo Passion CDI Auto — Still on the Road

Most 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Autos are still being driven.

Strong survival — 71 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 81% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
* 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

10.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.29

Avg failures per vehicle

9.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2009 2011 2013

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Compare with another model

See how the 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion CDI Auto stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing