Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe (2003)
2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe
CarHunch analysed 575 real MOT records for the 2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Smart Fortwo struggles with reliability: its 73.1% first-time pass rate sits 6.9 points below the UK average of 80%, and a worrying 34.8% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point—well above acceptable thresholds for a buyer to ignore. This isn't a safe bet for someone expecting trouble-free motoring.
At 49,000 miles median mileage, these examples are relatively low-mileage for their age, yet they're still averaging 5.1 failures and 19.2 advisories per test, which points to inherent design or build weaknesses rather than just wear-and-tear. Before buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, electrics, and cooling systems—the advisory count suggests these areas are chronically problematic on this generation.
What to check before buying a 2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 34.8% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 567 | 73.1% | 5.11 |
| Diesel (1%) | 7 | 75.4% | 4 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 72.2% | 5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe vehicles fall between 36,865 and 64,163 miles.
2003 Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 90 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (19% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.