Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2006 Smart (mcc) City Cabriolet?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2006 Smart (mcc) City Cabriolet?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2006 Smart (mcc) City Cabriolet?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2006 Smart (mcc) City Cabriolet vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

41% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2006 Smart (mcc) City Cabriolet reliable?

Based on MOT data from 195 vehicles, the 2006 Smart (mcc) City Cabriolet has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2006 Smart (mcc) City Cabriolet?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Smart (mcc) City Cabriolet (2006)

195 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74.2% first-time pass rate

2006 Smart (mcc) City Cabriolet

CarHunch analysed 195 real MOT records for the 2006 Smart (mcc) City Cabriolet. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2006 Smart City Cabriolet falls short of the UK average with a 74.2% first-time pass rate, and that's before you factor in the concerning 40.5% of vehicles that have recorded dangerous defects at some point—well above what you'd want to see. This is a vehicle with genuine reliability headwinds that will cost money to keep legal.

These cars are running at moderate mileage for their age (median 45,647 miles), yet they're averaging nearly 5 failures and over 20 advisories per test, suggesting systemic wear rather than isolated problems. If you're considering one, budget for immediate pre-purchase inspection by a Smart specialist and expect regular repair bills; this isn't a casual purchase.

We have limited data for the 2006 Smart (mcc) City Cabriolet — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

74.2%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

40.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.76

Over 17.7 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

46k

Middle half: 35k–58k

For context

These stats describe 195 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 195 Smart (mcc) City Cabriolet cars.

Before you buy a 2006 Smart (mcc) City Cabriolet

Based on MOT data from 195 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 40.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	194	74.1%	4.77

Mileage Distribution

Most 2006 Smart (mcc) City Cabriolet vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

45,647

typical

35,364

low mileage

57,576

high mileage

Half of all 2006 Smart (mcc) City Cabriolet vehicles fall between 35,364 and 57,576 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 35,364 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 35,364–57,576 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2006 Smart (mcc) City Cabriolets sit.

⚠ Over 77,727 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2006 Smart (mcc) City Cabriolet — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 44% of 2006 Smart (mcc) City Cabriolets are still active.

Numbers are declining — 79 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (44% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

17.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.76

Avg failures per vehicle

20.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Smart (mcc) City Cabriolet: All City Cabriolet years → Which year to buy? →

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Or browse all models: Smart (mcc) →

Compare with another model

See how the 2006 Smart (mcc) City Cabriolet stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on