2004 Smart (Mcc) Roadster — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,898 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Smart (Mcc) Roadster, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 79.9% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 20.5% in the 150k+ group versus 15.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 250 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.0% | 151 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.0% | 132 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.2% | 80 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.6% | 50 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.5% | 48 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 71 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 70 |
| 3 | Individual direction indicators | 68 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 61 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 58 |
| 6 | Wipers | 58 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 33.6% | 637 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.1% | 514 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.4% | 311 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 259 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.5% | 219 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.3% | 100 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 143 | 15.4% |
| 30-60k | 409 | 15.7% |
| 60-90k | 686 | 21.1% |
| 90-120k | 454 | 23.4% |
| 120-150k | 153 | 20.9% |
| 150k+ | 39 | 20.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 424 | 22.2% |
| 2022 | 417 | 20.1% |
| 2023 | 382 | 17.5% |
| 2024 | 347 | 21.3% |
| 2025 | 328 | 18.9% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Roadster
Before buying a 2004 Smart (Mcc) Roadster, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (7.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2004 Smart (Mcc) Roadsters pass their MOT?
79.9% of the 1,898 2004 Smart (Mcc) Roadster MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Smart (Mcc) Roadster?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.2% of tests, followed by brakes (8.0%).
Does the 2004 Roadster get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.4% in the 0-30k band to 20.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,898 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.