Smart (mcc) Roadster (2005)

689 real MOT outcomes analysed • 76.2% first-time pass rate

2005 Smart (mcc) Roadster

CarHunch analysed 689 real MOT records for the 2005 Smart (mcc) Roadster. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2005 Smart Roadster trails the UK average by nearly 4 percentage points, with a 76.2% pass rate—a modest concern that becomes more serious when you learn that nearly a quarter of these cars (23.4%) have suffered a dangerous defect at some point. For a 19-year-old roadster, this combination suggests structural or safety issues beyond typical wear-and-tear.

At 50,360 miles median mileage, these examples are relatively low-mileage for their age, yet they're still averaging nearly 4 failures and 22 advisories per test—indicating that age and design vulnerability matter more than distance here. Before buying, have an independent inspection focus on brake components, suspension geometry, and corrosion, since these cars clearly struggle with fundamental safety systems as they mature.

Average reliability 3.8% below UK average
76.2%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
50,360
typical mileage
36,146–66,621 middle half
23.4%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
3.98
avg MOT failures per car
over 15.8 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2005 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.
  • ⚠️ 23.4% 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%) 688 76.2% 3.98
Electric (0%) 1 71.4% 6

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 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.

36,146
low mileage
50,360
typical
66,621
high mileage

Half of all 2005 Smart (mcc) Roadster vehicles fall between 36,146 and 66,621 miles.

2005 Smart (mcc) Roadster — Still on the Road

260 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 51% of the peak remain.

509 260 2014 2025

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

15.8
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
3.98
Avg failures per vehicle
21.7
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2005 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.

  • 74.3%
    Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
  • 56%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 53.9%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 36.6%
    Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
  • 32.2%
    Oil leak, but not excessive
  • 28.7%
    Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
  • 27.5%
    Nearside Rear Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim
  • 26.8%
    Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005. 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.

UK

Other model years — Smart (mcc) Roadster:

2003 2004 2006