2006 Smart Roadster — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 719 MOT tests, the 2006 Smart Roadster recorded an 80.8% pass rate. That is 2.7 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 21.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 12.5% of all tests — 6.0 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, individual direction indicators and wipers — position lamp alone was recorded 23 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.3% versus 14.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 30.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 22.4% in 2021 to 14.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 90 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.5% | 47 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.0% | 43 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.6% | 26 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.5% | 18 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.4% | 17 |
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 | 23 |
| 2 | Individual direction indicators | 21 |
| 3 | Wipers | 21 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 20 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 19 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 19 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 30.9% | 222 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.6% | 170 |
| 3 | Tyres | 15.2% | 109 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.7% | 77 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.9% | 64 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 7.6% | 55 |
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 | 97 | 14.4% |
| 30-60k | 249 | 15.3% |
| 60-90k | 235 | 20.8% |
| 90-120k | 104 | 27.9% |
| 120-150k | 30 | 23.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 165 | 22.4% |
| 2022 | 160 | 21.9% |
| 2023 | 148 | 18.2% |
| 2024 | 125 | 16.8% |
| 2025 | 121 | 14.9% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Roadster
On a 2006 Roadster, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.5% 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 (6.0% 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 Roadsters pass their MOT?
80.8% of the 719 2006 Smart Roadster MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Smart Roadster?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.5% of tests, followed by suspension (6.5%).
Does the 2006 Roadster get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.4% in the 0-30k band to 23.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 719 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.