2004 Smart City — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Smart City passed 72.6% of its 1,099 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.7% 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 17.6% of tests against 10.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 115 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.8% in the 0-30k band and 34.6% in the 90-120k band, a 13.9-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 33.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.2% in 2021 to 24.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.6% | 193 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.1% | 111 |
| 3 | Visibility | 9.5% | 104 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.1% | 100 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.7% | 85 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.8% | 64 |
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 | 115 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 104 |
| 3 | Washers | 83 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 69 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 65 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 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 | 33.4% | 367 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.6% | 270 |
| 3 | Suspension | 23.9% | 263 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 151 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.5% | 126 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.6% | 94 |
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 | 53 | 20.8% |
| 30-60k | 361 | 24.4% |
| 60-90k | 469 | 26.9% |
| 90-120k | 179 | 34.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 308 | 30.2% |
| 2022 | 249 | 27.7% |
| 2023 | 211 | 26.1% |
| 2024 | 176 | 26.1% |
| 2025 | 155 | 24.5% |
What to check before buying a 2004 City
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.1% 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 (9.5% 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 2004 Smart Citys pass their MOT?
72.6% of the 1,099 2004 Smart City MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Smart City?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.6% of tests, followed by suspension (10.1%).
Does the 2004 City get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.8% in the 0-30k band to 34.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,099 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.