2006 Smart Roadster 80 (Rhd) — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2006 Smart Roadster 80 (Rhd) passed 75.9% of its 428 recorded MOT tests. That is 3.2 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.9% of all tests — 8.0 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, rigid brake pipes and individual direction indicators — wipers alone was recorded 20 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.0% in the 30-60k band and 29.9% in the 90-120k band, a 7.9-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 35.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 24.8% in 2021 to 13.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 68 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.9% | 34 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.0% | 30 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.4% | 19 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.2% | 18 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.3% | 14 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 20 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 17 |
| 3 | Individual direction indicators | 15 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 15 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 15 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 15 |
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 | 35.0% | 150 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.9% | 115 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.7% | 80 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 75 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.4% | 70 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.1% | 26 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 91 | 22.0% |
| 60-90k | 184 | 22.3% |
| 90-120k | 107 | 29.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 105 | 24.8% |
| 2022 | 98 | 27.6% |
| 2023 | 95 | 25.3% |
| 2024 | 78 | 24.4% |
| 2025 | 52 | 13.5% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Roadster 80 (Rhd)
On a 2006 Roadster 80 (Rhd), lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.9% 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.
- Brakes (7.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2006 Smart Roadster 80 (Rhd)s pass their MOT?
75.9% of the 428 2006 Smart Roadster 80 (Rhd) MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Smart Roadster 80 (Rhd)?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by suspension (7.9%).
Does the 2006 Roadster 80 (Rhd) get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.0% in the 30-60k band to 29.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 428 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.