2005 Smart Cabriolet — MOT failures & pass rate
564 MOT tests on the 2005 Smart Cabriolet are in this dataset, and 74.7% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.6% fail rate), the 2005 Cabriolet comes out 2.2pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.4% of all tests — 7.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, washers and catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 69 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.7% in the 0-30k band and 28.6% in the 90-120k band, a 4.9-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 36.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.2% in 2021 to 23.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 104 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.2% | 63 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.3% | 41 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.6% | 37 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.4% | 36 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.5% | 31 |
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 | 69 |
| 2 | Washers | 39 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 33 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 30 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 25 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 23 |
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 | 36.2% | 204 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.1% | 147 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.0% | 113 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 88 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.9% | 56 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.6% | 54 |
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 | 38 | 23.7% |
| 30-60k | 209 | 21.1% |
| 60-90k | 212 | 26.4% |
| 90-120k | 84 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 147 | 25.2% |
| 2022 | 135 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 108 | 24.1% |
| 2024 | 96 | 27.1% |
| 2025 | 78 | 23.1% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Cabriolet
On a 2005 Cabriolet, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.2% 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.
- Visibility (7.3% 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.
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 2005 Smart Cabriolets pass their MOT?
74.7% of the 564 2005 Smart Cabriolet MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Smart Cabriolet?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by suspension (11.2%).
Does the 2005 Cabriolet get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.7% in the 0-30k band to 28.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 564 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.