2004 Smart Roadster Coupe 80 (Rhd) — MOT failures & pass rate
1,340 MOT tests on the 2004 Smart Roadster Coupe 80 (Rhd) are in this dataset, and 78.6% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.7% of the time, so this is 6.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.4% of tests against 7.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, stop lamp and headlamp — position lamp alone was recorded 45 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 27.3% in the 0-30k band and 17.7% in the 150k+ band, a 9.5-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 36.3% 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 | 14.4% | 193 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.1% | 95 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.0% | 94 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.7% | 50 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.9% | 39 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.8% | 37 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 45 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 44 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 42 |
| 4 | Horn | 39 |
| 5 | Individual direction indicators | 39 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 37 |
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 | 36.3% | 486 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.1% | 390 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.2% | 217 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 197 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.3% | 165 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.2% | 97 |
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 | 55 | 27.3% |
| 30-60k | 256 | 18.0% |
| 60-90k | 413 | 20.1% |
| 90-120k | 341 | 24.6% |
| 120-150k | 203 | 21.7% |
| 150k+ | 62 | 17.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 313 | 22.4% |
| 2022 | 285 | 21.1% |
| 2023 | 272 | 20.6% |
| 2024 | 234 | 20.1% |
| 2025 | 236 | 22.9% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Roadster Coupe 80 (Rhd)
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.1% 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.
- 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 2004 Smart Roadster Coupe 80 (Rhd)s pass their MOT?
78.6% of the 1,340 2004 Smart Roadster Coupe 80 (Rhd) MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Smart Roadster Coupe 80 (Rhd)?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.4% of tests, followed by suspension (7.1%).
Does the 2004 Roadster Coupe 80 (Rhd) get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.3% in the 0-30k band to 17.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,340 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.