Smart Pulse MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 144 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 35.4%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Smart Pulse MOT Reliability Overview
The Smart Pulse is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 144 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 64.6% and a failure rate of 35.4%, which is around the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Smart Pulse earns a "Average" reliability rating. The average Smart Pulse presents for MOT with approximately 79,048 miles on the clock. The 2002 manufacture year performs best with a 67.7% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the Smart Pulse is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, affecting 37.5% of all tests. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. The second most common issue is Brakes at 21.5%. Tyres rounds out the top three at 11.8%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 50.0% | 72 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.7% | 37 |
| 3 | Tyres | 13.9% | 20 |
| 4 | Driver's View Of The Road | 11.8% | 17 |
| 5 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 10.4% | 15 |
| 6 | Suspension | 9.0% | 13 |
| 7 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 3.5% | 5 |
| 8 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 3.5% | 5 |
| 9 | Steering | 2.1% | 3 |
| 10 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 2.1% | 3 |
| 11 | Registration Plates And Vin | 1.4% | 2 |
| 12 | Non-component Advisories | 0.7% | 1 |
| 13 | Road Wheels | 0.7% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 79,048 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 6.32 | 50.0% | 72 |
| Brakes | 3.25 | 25.7% | 37 |
| Tyres | 1.76 | 13.9% | 20 |
| Visibility | 1.49 | 11.8% | 17 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 1.32 | 10.4% | 15 |
| Suspension | 1.14 | 9.0% | 13 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.44 | 3.5% | 5 |
| Seat Belts | 0.44 | 3.5% | 5 |
| Steering | 0.26 | 2.1% | 3 |
| Body & Structure | 0.26 | 2.1% | 3 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.18 | 1.4% | 2 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.09 | 0.7% | 1 |
| Wheels | 0.09 | 0.7% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Smart Pulse has 79,048 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Smart Pulse has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 4.48% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Smart Pulse MOT Data
The Smart Pulse is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 144 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 64.6% and a failure rate of 35.4%, which is around the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Smart Pulse owners, these results suggest average reliability — some preparation before MOT can improve pass chances. Focus your pre-MOT checks on lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and brakes for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific Pulse is likely to perform.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 37.5% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 37.5% of MOT failures on the Smart Pulse. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Brakes — 21.5% of failures
Brakes issues account for 21.5% of MOT failures on the Smart Pulse. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Tyres — 11.8% of failures
Tyres issues account for 11.8% of MOT failures on the Smart Pulse. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Smart Pulse?
Based on 144 MOT tests in our database, the Smart Pulse has an overall pass rate of 64.6% (35.4% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Smart Pulse?
The top 3 reasons a Smart Pulse fails its MOT are: 1. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (37.5%), 2. Brakes (21.5%), 3. Tyres (11.8%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Smart Pulse reliable?
With a 35.4% MOT failure rate, the Pulse is about average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Smart Pulse?
Based on failure data, focus on: Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (37.5%); Brakes (21.5%); Tyres (11.8%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.