2003 Smart Smart Passion Softouch — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 423 MOT tests, the 2003 Smart Smart Passion Softouch recorded a 71.6% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.7%, so the 2003 Smart Passion Softouch sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 22.5% of all tests — 10.4 points clear of visibility, 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 68 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 33.6% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 26.8% once past 90-120k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 31.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.5% | 95 |
| 2 | Visibility | 12.1% | 51 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 10.4% | 44 |
| 4 | Suspension | 10.2% | 43 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 35 |
| 6 | Brakes | 7.1% | 30 |
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 | 68 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 59 |
| 3 | Washers | 48 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 31 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 24 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 18 |
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 | 31.0% | 131 |
| 2 | Suspension | 21.0% | 89 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.6% | 83 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 77 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.0% | 59 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.0% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 131 | 33.6% |
| 60-90k | 165 | 24.2% |
| 90-120k | 82 | 26.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 116 | 28.4% |
| 2022 | 103 | 31.1% |
| 2023 | 84 | 29.8% |
| 2024 | 62 | 22.6% |
| 2025 | 58 | 27.6% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Smart Passion Softouch
On a 2003 Smart Passion Softouch, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 22.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (22.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (12.1% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (10.4% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 Smart Passion Softouchs pass their MOT?
71.6% of the 423 2003 Smart Smart Passion Softouch MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Smart Smart Passion Softouch?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.5% of tests, followed by visibility (12.1%).
Does the 2003 Smart Passion Softouch get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 33.6% in the 30-60k band to 26.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 423 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.