Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2013 Smart Fortwo Pulse Mhd 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 2013 Smart Fortwo Pulse Mhd 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 2013 Smart Fortwo Pulse Mhd 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 2013 Smart Fortwo Pulse Mhd Auto vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

25% 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 Fortwo Pulse Mhd Auto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 354 vehicles, the 2013 Smart Fortwo Pulse Mhd Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 83.9%, 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 2013 Smart Fortwo Pulse Mhd 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 Mhd Auto (2013)

354 real MOT outcomes analysed • 83.9% first-time pass rate

2013 Smart Fortwo Pulse Mhd Auto

CarHunch analysed 354 real MOT records for the 2013 Smart Fortwo Pulse Mhd 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

Moderate sample. 354 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

This 2013 Smart Fortwo Pulse MHD Auto sits slightly below the UK average with a 77.8% first-time pass rate, and one in four examples have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a concern worth taking seriously when viewing a used one. The petrol variant's 77.4% pass rate confirms the model isn't particularly robust for its age.

At just over 33,600 miles median mileage, these cars are running relatively light for a decade-old city car, yet they're averaging nearly two failures per test, suggesting mechanical wear happens faster than the low odometer readings suggest. The high advisory rate of 7.8 per vehicle points to niggling issues across brakes, suspension and electrics rather than catastrophic problems, so budget for regular maintenance and always get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically probes for electrical gremlins and brake condition.

The 2013 Smart Fortwo Pulse Mhd Auto passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (83.9%) — 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

83.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

24.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.83

Over 10.1 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

34k

Middle half: 24k–46k

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 7.8 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 354 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 354 Smart Fortwo Pulse Mhd Auto cars.

Before you buy a 2013 Smart Fortwo Pulse Mhd Auto

Based on MOT data from 354 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 24.6% 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 (97%)	342	83.7%	1.86

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,073 Smart Fortwo Pulse Mhd Auto vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 37.6%

403

White 29.1%

312

Silver 15.2%

163

Red 9.3%

100

Grey 5.1%

Blue 3.7%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2013 Smart Fortwo Pulse Mhd 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.

33,607

typical

24,035

low mileage

46,354

high mileage

Half of all 2013 Smart Fortwo Pulse Mhd Auto vehicles fall between 24,035 and 46,354 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 24,035 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.

✓ 24,035–46,354 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2013 Smart Fortwo Pulse Mhd Autos sit.

⚠ Over 62,577 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 Fortwo Pulse Mhd Auto — Still on the Road

Most 2013 Smart Fortwo Pulse Mhd Autos are still being driven.

Strong survival — 274 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 87% 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

10.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.83

Avg failures per vehicle

7.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Smart Fortwo Pulse Mhd Auto: All Fortwo Pulse Mhd Auto years → Which year to buy? →

2009 2010 2011 2012

Or browse all models: Smart →

Compare with another model

See how the 2013 Smart Fortwo Pulse Mhd Auto stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?