Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse 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 2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse 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 2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse 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 2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

26% 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 2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 174 vehicles, the 2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 77.6%, 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 2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse 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 Pulse CDI Auto (2010)

174 real MOT outcomes analysed • 77.6% first-time pass rate

2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto

CarHunch analysed 174 real MOT records for the 2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse 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 2010 Smart ForTwo Pulse CDI is notably unreliable by UK standards, with a first-time pass rate of just 68.7% against the national average of 80%—a gap that reflects genuine durability concerns. More troubling, over a quarter of these vehicles (26.4%) have recorded dangerous defects during MOT testing, which puts them in the higher-risk category for safety-critical failures.

At around 50,000 miles median, these cars aren't high-mileage examples, yet they're averaging 2.59 failures and 8.9 advisories per test, suggesting age-related deterioration rather than abuse. If you're considering one, budget for regular repairs and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on suspension, braking, and fluid seals—common problem areas for ageing Smart ForTwos.

We have limited data for the 2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse 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

77.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

26.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.59

Over 11 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

50k

Middle half: 39k–65k

For context

These stats describe 174 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 174 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto cars.

Before you buy a 2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto

Based on MOT data from 174 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 26.4% 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%)	170	77.7%	2.59

Mileage Distribution

Most 2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse 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.

50,364

typical

38,540

low mileage

64,750

high mileage

Half of all 2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto vehicles fall between 38,540 and 64,750 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 38,540 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.

✓ 38,540–64,750 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Autos sit.

⚠ Over 87,412 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 68% of 2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Autos are still active.

82 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 68% 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

2.59

Avg failures per vehicle

8.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2010 Smart Fortwo Pulse CDI Auto stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing