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Smart City W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1) (1998-2007) reliability

At a glance

Smart City W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1) built around 2004: about average at the MOT

Smart City W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1) models built around 2004 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

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Key figure

30% of MOT tests on Smart City W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1) models built around 2004 ended in a fail (retests included), against 32% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Smart City W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1) models built around 2004 involves the tyres.

No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate1998-2007HatchbackPETROL

Based on 5,899 tests of City models registered 1998-2007.

About 1 in 9 City W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1) MOTs (10.9%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2004 (21 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,345 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 City W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1) MOTs (4.5%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2004 (21 years old).

Based on 1,345 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
19229.7%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,05432.2%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
78229.9%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
86028.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,34529.5%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
99030.9%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
48731.8%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
12525.6%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
6429.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 18 years old.

How the City W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1) compares

At each age below, see how the City W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 2,845 tests across 5 Smart models, built around 2004 (21 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateSmart average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
19229.7%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,05432.2%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
78229.9%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
86028.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,34529.5%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
99030.9%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
48731.8%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
12525.6%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
6429.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the City W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1).

  1. 1

    Subaru Impreza

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    20.4%

    Lower fail rate: 20.4%, against 29.5% for the Smart City W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1), both built around 2004.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,984 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  2. 2

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    32.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    No clear edge over the Smart City W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1) on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    17,263 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  3. 3

    Renault Clio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    34.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.9%

    No clear edge over the Smart City W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1) on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    7,283 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  4. 4

    Toyota Yaris

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    32.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.4%

    No clear edge over the Smart City W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1) on these figures.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    15,502 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Smart City name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

How City W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1) cars have aged

How City W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%141618202224Age at MOTBuilt around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (744 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (690 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 30.5% (652 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 31.6% (592 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 31.3% (517 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 31.6% (689 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 26.9% (587 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (587 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 30.4% (519 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 27.9% (441 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 31.1% (732 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 31.6% (678 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 29.7% (562 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 29.5% (482 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 27.7% (382 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.0% (1,390 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 31.9% (1,225 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 30.4% (1,004 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 30.1% (811 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 27.7% (656 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.2% (1,300 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (1,095 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 31.1% (903 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (693 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (557 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (838 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 30.6% (700 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 31.3% (560 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (452 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (360 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 30.2% (159 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (130 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 26.2% (103 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (87 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2001, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 27.3% (77 tests, 2025 data)2001
First registered around 2007First registered around 2006First registered around 2005First registered around 2004
W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1) variants compared
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Smart Citys of this age

This list covers every Smart City built around 2004, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    16.4%
    Advisory: 322Fail: 23 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    14.5%
    Advisory: 211Fail: 53 (20% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    14.3%
    Advisory: 264Fail: 17 (6% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    14.3%
    Advisory: 190Fail: 4 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    13.4%
    Advisory: 218Fail: 2 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,345 tests

Looking at a Smart City W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2004 (21 years old), the Smart City W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1) (1998-2007) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 1,345 21-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 5,899 MOT tests on Smart Citys first registered between 1998-2007. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.