2011 Smart Fortwo Pulse MHD Auto 1.0L Petrol · LS11 XBL

A chronic theme running through this Smart Fortwo's MOT history is rear brake irregularity, exhaust leakage, and tyre wear, with three failures and several persistent advisories spread across just four years of testing. The most recent test on 27 February 2026 returned a pass, but it carried four advisories that align with the vehicle's established pattern rather than suggesting any improvement. On the previous test in March 2025 the car failed on a dangerously perished offside rear tyre, an exhaust lambda reading outside limits, and a likely induction leak, before passing the following day with advisories on the nearside front and rear tyres. Earlier still, the March 2024 test produced a dangerous failure for a non-functioning nearside rear parking brake on the single-line braking system, an excessively binding offside rear service brake, an unrecordable emissions test, and a major exhaust gas leak. Taken together, the rear braking system has been flagged in every test since 2023, the exhaust system has surfaced as a concern in three consecutive years, and the tyres have appeared as advisories or failures repeatedly. This is not a vehicle with a quiet MOT record; the pattern points to ongoing wear items that have not been fully resolved. At 99,030 miles over fifteen years, the car has averaged roughly 6,600 miles per year, which sits broadly in line with typical annual use for a small city car of this age. There are no extended gaps in the testing record that would suggest a long period off the road, and the mileage progression between tests appears consistent with steady, modest use rather than any sudden spikes. Mechanically, this level of use on a Fortwo tends to mean high wear relative to age on brake components, suspension bushes, and clutch actuation hardware, simply because each mile represents a larger fraction of the consumable's lifespan. However, lower annual mileage can also bring its own issues, particularly with standing fluid in brake calipers and corrosion on underbody components, both of which appear to have manifested here given the binding rear brakes and corroded brake pipe noted in the latest test. For a prospective buyer, the rear braking system deserves particular attention on a test drive. With advisories for binding appearing across three consecutive years and a dangerous failure for the parking brake in 2024, the offside rear caliper or its handbrake mechanism may have been intermittently binding. On inspection, listen for any scraping or dragging from the rear wheels after the car has been driven, feel for the vehicle pulling to one side under braking, and check that the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slight incline. The nearside rear brake pipe being flagged as corroded and covered in grease at the most recent test is also worth a careful look underneath, as corroded brake pipes are a common advisory on older vehicles and can progress towards a failure if left untreated. A torch inspection of the pipework along its full length is advisable, and any spongy pedal feel during a firm stop should be taken seriously. The exhaust and emissions concerns warrant equal scrutiny. Major exhaust leaks were flagged in 2024 and a flexi pipe leak was noted in both 2023 tests, while the 2025 failure added a lambda reading outside limits and a likely induction leak. Before purchase, listen at idle for any ticking or hissing from the exhaust joints, particularly around the flexible section, and watch for any visible soot trails or condensation drips from unusual locations. During a test drive, pay attention to any hesitation or rough running that could indicate an unmetered air leak, as the lambda sensor faults in 2025 suggest the engine management system was already compensating for one. Finally, the nearside front strut top mounting showing slight wear and a defective gearbox mounting noted at the latest test should prompt a check for clonking noises from the front suspension over speed humps and any additional vibration through the cabin, as worn strut top mounts on a Fortwo can quickly progress into a more serious test failure if not addressed.