Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo 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 2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo 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 2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo 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 2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

29% 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 2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet reliable?

Based on MOT data from 109 vehicles, the 2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.6%, 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 2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo 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) Fortwo Cabriolet (2003)

109 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74.6% first-time pass rate

2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet

CarHunch analysed 109 real MOT records for the 2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo 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 Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2003 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet has a first-time pass rate of 74.6%, sitting below the UK average of 80%, which suggests reliability concerns for a car now over 20 years old. More worryingly, nearly 30% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, making this a genuine safety consideration for potential buyers.

At just under 50,000 miles on average, these Smarts show relatively light use for their age, yet they're still accumulating 4.5 failures per test and an average of 17 advisories—indicating that mileage alone isn't protecting them from mechanical wear. Before purchasing, have a pre-buy inspection focus on the electrical systems and structural integrity, as the high advisory count suggests aging components are becoming problematic across the board.

We have limited data for the 2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo 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

74.6%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

29.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.47

Over 17.1 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

47k

Middle half: 39k–59k

For context

These stats describe 109 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 109 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet cars.

Before you buy a 2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet

Based on MOT data from 109 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 29.4% 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

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo 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.

46,855

typical

38,511

low mileage

59,064

high mileage

Half of all 2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet vehicles fall between 38,511 and 59,064 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 38,511 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.

✓ 38,511–59,064 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolets sit.

⚠ Over 79,736 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 24% of 2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolets are still active.

Numbers are declining — 20 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (24% 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

17.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.47

Avg failures per vehicle

17.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Or browse all models: Smart (mcc) →

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See how the 2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Cabriolet stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on