2005 Smart City Coupe — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2005 Smart City Coupe passed 73.0% of its 2,772 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.4% of tests against 10.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, washers and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 323 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2005 City Coupe fails 22.8% of the time in the 0-30k band and 26.1% at 120-150k, a spread of only 3.3 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 32.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.4% | 565 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.9% | 301 |
| 3 | Visibility | 9.4% | 262 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.8% | 217 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 140 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 133 |
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 | 323 |
| 2 | Washers | 198 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 177 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 163 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 139 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 135 |
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 | 32.3% | 894 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.8% | 771 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.8% | 661 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 410 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.2% | 337 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.0% | 332 |
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 | 149 | 22.8% |
| 30-60k | 910 | 24.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,152 | 28.4% |
| 90-120k | 443 | 28.9% |
| 120-150k | 88 | 26.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 683 | 26.8% |
| 2022 | 636 | 26.3% |
| 2023 | 565 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 489 | 27.2% |
| 2025 | 399 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 2005 City Coupe
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.9% 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 (9.4% 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 City Coupes pass their MOT?
73.0% of the 2,772 2005 Smart City Coupe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Smart City Coupe?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.4% of tests, followed by suspension (10.9%).
Does the 2005 City Coupe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.8% in the 0-30k band to 26.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,772 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.