2003 Smart Cabriolet — MOT failures & pass rate
996 MOT tests on the 2003 Smart Cabriolet are in this dataset, and 76.1% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.7% of the time, so this is 3.8pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.4% of all tests — 7.1 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 100 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.3% versus 11.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 28.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 173 |
| 2 | Visibility | 10.2% | 102 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.8% | 78 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 73 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.6% | 66 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 48 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 100 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 90 |
| 3 | Washers | 84 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 52 |
| 5 | Wipers | 50 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 45 |
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 | 28.9% | 288 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.6% | 255 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.0% | 209 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 150 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.8% | 117 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.8% | 78 |
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 | 69 | 11.6% |
| 30-60k | 292 | 25.0% |
| 60-90k | 410 | 24.1% |
| 90-120k | 171 | 25.1% |
| 120-150k | 43 | 23.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 271 | 25.1% |
| 2022 | 225 | 22.7% |
| 2023 | 207 | 23.7% |
| 2024 | 169 | 23.7% |
| 2025 | 124 | 24.2% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Cabriolet
On a 2003 Cabriolet, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (10.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Suspension (7.8% 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 2003 Smart Cabriolets pass their MOT?
76.1% of the 996 2003 Smart Cabriolet MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Smart Cabriolet?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.4% of tests, followed by visibility (10.2%).
Does the 2003 Cabriolet get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.6% in the 0-30k band to 23.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 996 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.