2004 Smart Smart Roadster — MOT failures & pass rate
518 MOT tests on the 2004 Smart Smart Roadster are in this dataset, and 76.8% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2004 Smart Roadster comes out 4.5pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.7% of all tests — 5.8 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are individual direction indicators, track rod end and wipers — individual direction indicators alone was recorded 25 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 33.3% versus 18.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 36.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 76 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.9% | 46 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.7% | 40 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.4% | 28 |
| 5 | Steering | 3.5% | 18 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.5% | 18 |
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 | 25 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 24 |
| 3 | Wipers | 23 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 22 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 21 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 14 |
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 | 36.7% | 190 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.3% | 131 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.9% | 98 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 92 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.4% | 59 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.7% | 45 |
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 | 97 | 18.6% |
| 60-90k | 203 | 20.7% |
| 90-120k | 129 | 27.9% |
| 120-150k | 48 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 112 | 24.1% |
| 2022 | 117 | 22.2% |
| 2023 | 109 | 24.8% |
| 2024 | 93 | 20.4% |
| 2025 | 87 | 24.1% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Smart Roadster
On a 2004 Smart Roadster, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.9% 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 (7.7% 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 Smart Roadsters pass their MOT?
76.8% of the 518 2004 Smart Smart Roadster MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Smart Smart Roadster?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.7% of tests, followed by suspension (8.9%).
Does the 2004 Smart Roadster get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.6% in the 30-60k band to 33.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 518 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.