2003 Smart City — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 895 MOT tests, the 2003 Smart City recorded a 72.7% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.7%, so the 2003 City sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.1% of all tests — 8.7 points clear of emissions & environmental, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and washers — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 108 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.5% in the 0-30k band and 31.1% in the 90-120k band, a 19.6-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 28.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 162 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 9.4% | 84 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.3% | 83 |
| 4 | Visibility | 9.3% | 83 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.5% | 67 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.3% | 47 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 108 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 86 |
| 3 | Washers | 60 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 55 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 47 |
| 6 | Wipers | 35 |
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 | 28.4% | 254 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.5% | 219 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.4% | 200 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 15.2% | 136 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 134 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 61 |
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 | 52 | 11.5% |
| 30-60k | 313 | 26.5% |
| 60-90k | 357 | 27.7% |
| 90-120k | 135 | 31.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 285 | 28.4% |
| 2022 | 202 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 160 | 23.8% |
| 2024 | 133 | 27.8% |
| 2025 | 115 | 29.6% |
What to check before buying a 2003 City
On a 2003 City, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (9.4% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (9.3% 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 Citys pass their MOT?
72.7% of the 895 2003 Smart City MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Smart City?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (9.4%).
Does the 2003 City get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.5% in the 0-30k band to 31.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 895 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.