Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2003 Smart City Passion 61 Auto?

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 City Passion 61 Auto?

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 City Passion 61 Auto?

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 City Passion 61 Auto vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

22% 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 City Passion 61 Auto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 366 vehicles, the 2003 Smart City Passion 61 Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.5%, 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 City Passion 61 Auto?

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 City Passion 61 Auto (2003)

366 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74.5% first-time pass rate

2003 Smart City Passion 61 Auto

CarHunch analysed 366 real MOT records for the 2003 Smart City Passion 61 Auto. 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 Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 366 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2003 Smart City Passion 61 Auto passes its MOT first time in only 66.3% of cases, well below the UK average of 80%, and nearly 22% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects—a significant concern for a buyer. This suggests the model has genuine reliability issues that go beyond wear and tear.

At just under 49,000 miles on average, these vehicles aren't high-mileage, yet they're averaging 3.78 failures per test and 12.7 advisories, indicating structural or mechanical problems rather than age-related deterioration. Before buying one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the gearbox, suspension, and electrical systems, as these are the areas where this generation typically fails most often.

The 2003 Smart City Passion 61 Auto has a below-average first-time pass rate (74.5% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ 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

74.5%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

21.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.78

Over 13.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

48k

Middle half: 35k–61k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 12.7 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 366 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 366 Smart City Passion 61 Auto cars.

Before you buy a 2003 Smart City Passion 61 Auto

Based on MOT data from 366 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 21.9% 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 (97%)	356	74.6%	3.83

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,854 Smart City Passion 61 Auto vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 79.8%

1,480

Black 14.7%

273

Blue 2.1%

Red 1.6%

Grey 0.5%

Cream 0.5%

White 0.4%

Pink 0.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 Smart City Passion 61 Auto 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.

48,461

typical

34,898

low mileage

61,155

high mileage

Half of all 2003 Smart City Passion 61 Auto vehicles fall between 34,898 and 61,155 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 34,898 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.

✓ 34,898–61,155 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2003 Smart City Passion 61 Autos sit.

⚠ Over 82,559 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 City Passion 61 Auto — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 19% of 2003 Smart City Passion 61 Autos are still active.

Numbers are declining — 44 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.
* 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

13.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.78

Avg failures per vehicle

12.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Smart City Passion 61 Auto: All City Passion 61 Auto years → Which year to buy? →

2004 2005 2006 2007

Or browse all models: Smart →

Compare with another model

See how the 2003 Smart City Passion 61 Auto stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on