Smart (mcc) Roadster (2003)
2003 Smart (mcc) Roadster
CarHunch analysed 264 real MOT records for the 2003 Smart (mcc) Roadster. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Smart Roadster falls short of the UK average with a 75.6% first-time pass rate, and one in five of these cars have experienced a dangerous defect during their MOT history—a significant concern for a two-decade-old sports car. This suggests buyers should factor in potential safety-critical repairs before purchase.
At 57,440 miles on average, these Roadsters are relatively low-mileage for their age, yet they're still racking up 4.11 failures per test and a hefty 21 advisories each, pointing to widespread wear and electrical gremlins rather than catastrophic engine issues. Before committing to one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the suspension, lighting, and brake systems where most problems cluster.
What to check before buying a 2003 Smart (mcc) Roadster
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.
- ⚠️ 21.6% 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) Roadster
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 (100%) | 263 | 75.6% | 4.1 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 72% | 7 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Smart (mcc) Roadster 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) Roadster vehicles fall between 37,616 and 73,502 miles.
2003 Smart (mcc) Roadster — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 74 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.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Smart (mcc) Roadster
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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85%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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56.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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53.2%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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42.1%
Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
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37.9%
Oil leak
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31.4%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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30.4%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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28.9%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Smart (mcc) Roadster?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.