Smart Smart Roadster MOT pass rate & common failures
The Smart Smart Roadster appears in 1,406 MOT tests spanning model years 2003–2007, and 78.6% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.6% of the time, so this is 6.2pp better than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.4% of all tests — 6.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are individual direction indicators, wipers and rigid brake pipes — individual direction indicators alone was recorded 68 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.4% in the 0-30k band and 13.5% in the 150k+ band, a 9.0-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 35.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
By model year
Every Smart Roadster model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 518 | 76.8% | 23.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2005 | 527 | 80.3% | 19.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2006 | 348 | 78.7% | 21.3% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 202 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.5% | 105 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.0% | 99 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.8% | 53 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.2% | 45 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.6% | 37 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 2.4% | 33 |
| 8 | Steering | 2.2% | 31 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Individual direction indicators | 68 |
| 2 | Wipers | 47 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 44 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 41 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 40 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 39 |
| 7 | Stop lamp | 39 |
| 8 | Horn | 38 |
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 | 35.2% | 495 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.0% | 351 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.4% | 245 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.5% | 232 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.7% | 164 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.0% | 113 |
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 | 49 | 22.4% |
| 30-60k | 347 | 19.9% |
| 60-90k | 502 | 20.1% |
| 90-120k | 349 | 23.5% |
| 120-150k | 105 | 28.6% |
| 150k+ | 52 | 13.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 304 | 22.7% |
| 2022 | 303 | 19.8% |
| 2023 | 282 | 19.5% |
| 2024 | 267 | 22.1% |
| 2025 | 250 | 23.2% |
What to check before buying a Smart Smart Roadster
- 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 (7.5% 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 (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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Smart Smart Roadster?
78.6% of the 1,406 Smart Smart Roadster MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 21.4% fail rate, across model years 2003–2007.
What does the Smart Smart Roadster most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.4% of tests, then suspension (7.5%).
How much does mileage affect Smart Roadster MOT results?
Fail rates run at 22.4% for cars in the 0-30k band and 13.5% for 150k+, a 9.0-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,406 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.