2005 Smart Smart Roadster — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 527 MOT tests, the 2005 Smart Smart Roadster recorded an 80.3% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.6% fail rate), the 2005 Smart Roadster comes out 7.9pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.3% of tests against 7.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are individual direction indicators, horn and track rod end — individual direction indicators alone was recorded 25 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.9% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 25.5% once past 120-150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 36.0% 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 | 13.3% | 70 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.0% | 37 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.5% | 29 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.2% | 17 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.0% | 16 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.3% | 12 |
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 | Horn | 18 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 14 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 14 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 13 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 13 |
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 | 36.0% | 190 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.7% | 130 |
| 3 | Tyres | 15.8% | 83 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 83 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 10.8% | 57 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.0% | 42 |
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 | 107 | 15.9% |
| 60-90k | 187 | 19.8% |
| 90-120k | 152 | 21.1% |
| 120-150k | 47 | 25.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 115 | 23.5% |
| 2022 | 113 | 16.8% |
| 2023 | 94 | 12.8% |
| 2024 | 105 | 21.9% |
| 2025 | 100 | 23.0% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Smart Roadster
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.0% 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 (5.5% 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 2005 Smart Smart Roadsters pass their MOT?
80.3% of the 527 2005 Smart Smart Roadster MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Smart Smart Roadster?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.3% of tests, followed by suspension (7.0%).
Does the 2005 Smart Roadster get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.9% in the 30-60k band to 25.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 527 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.