Does the MCC Smart fail the MOT on lamps, reflectors and electrics more than it should?
The MCC Smart records 49.47 lamps, reflectors and electrics failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 40.43 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+9.04, 95% interval +7.49 to +10.59). It ranks 83 of 729 models on lamps, reflectors and electrics (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on lamps, reflectors and electrics · check a MCC Smart by registration
What exactly fails on lamps, reflectors and electrics?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the MCC Smart is “The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements”, recorded 825 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 825 | 10.45 |
| Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements | 457 | 5.79 |
| Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 329 | 4.17 |
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 293 | 3.71 |
| Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective | 290 | 3.67 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 7,894 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
MCC Smart 2001 · MCC Smart 2002 · MCC Smart 2003 · MCC Smart 2004 · MCC Smart 2005 · MCC Smart by postcode area · MCC Smart body, chassis and structure failures · MCC Smart brakes failures · MCC Smart vehicle identification failures · MCC Smart noise, emissions and leaks failures · MCC Smart seat belts and airbags failures · MCC Smart steering failures · MCC Smart suspension failures · MCC Smart tyres failures · MCC Smart visibility failures