Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2005 Smart (mcc) Roadster?

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 2005 Smart (mcc) Roadster?

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 2005 Smart (mcc) Roadster?

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 2005 Smart (mcc) Roadster vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

23% 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 2005 Smart (mcc) Roadster reliable?

Based on MOT data from 689 vehicles, the 2005 Smart (mcc) Roadster has a first-time MOT pass rate of 76.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2005 Smart (mcc) Roadster?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2005 Smart (mcc) Roadster are: Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (74.3% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (56% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (53.9% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2005 Smart (mcc) Roadster?

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) 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. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

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.

The 2005 Smart (mcc) Roadster passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (76.2%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ 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

76.2%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

23.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.98

Over 15.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

50k

Middle half: 36k–67k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 21.7 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 689 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.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 689 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 74.3%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Oil leak, but not excessive · …

Tyre wear 56%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 28.7%

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Lighting 27.5%

Nearside Rear Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Suspension & steering 23.2%

Offside Front coil spring corroded · Nearside Front coil spring corroded

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 689 Smart (mcc) Roadster cars.

Before you buy a 2005 Smart (mcc) Roadster

Based on MOT data from 689 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 23.4% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	688	76.2%	3.98

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,077 Smart (mcc) Roadster vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 43.3%

899

Black 41.1%

853

Blue 5.5%

115

Red 4.2%

Yellow 3.4%

Grey 0.6%

Orange 0.6%

Gold 0.5%

White 0.3%

Green 0.2%

Purple 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 Smart (mcc) Roadster 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.

50,360

typical

36,146

low mileage

66,621

high mileage

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

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 36,146 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.

✓ 36,146–66,621 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2005 Smart (mcc) Roadsters sit.

⚠ Over 89,938 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2005 Smart (mcc) Roadster — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 51% of 2005 Smart (mcc) Roadsters are still active.

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

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

15.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.98

Avg failures per vehicle

21.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2003 2004 2006

Or browse all models: Smart (mcc) →

Compare with another model

See how the 2005 Smart (mcc) Roadster stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?