Smart City Pure 61 Semi Auto (2004)
2004 Smart City Pure 61 Semi Auto
CarHunch analysed 140 real MOT records for the 2004 Smart City Pure 61 Semi Auto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2004 Smart City Pure is notably unreliable, with a first-time MOT pass rate of just 65%—a full 15 points below the UK average of 80%. The bigger concern is that nearly a third of these cars (31.4%) have been flagged for dangerous defects during their MOT history, which is significantly higher than typical and should weigh heavily on any purchase decision.
At around 53,000 miles median mileage for a 20-year-old car, these vehicles have been reasonably well-used but not abused; the real problem is that they're averaging nearly 4 failures and 12 advisories per test, suggesting chronic wear across multiple systems. Before buying one, have a trusted mechanic conduct a full pre-purchase inspection focusing on brake integrity and suspension, since the dangerous defect rate signals systemic structural or safety issues rather than isolated wear items.
What to check before buying a 2004 Smart City Pure 61 Semi Auto
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.
- ⚠️ 31.4% 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 City Pure 61 Semi Auto
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 (95%) | 133 | 64.3% | 4.13 |
| Other (5%) | 7 | 78.6% | 1.43 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 Smart City Pure 61 Semi Auto 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 2004 Smart City Pure 61 Semi Auto vehicles fall between 39,305 and 65,441 miles.
2004 Smart City Pure 61 Semi Auto — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 17 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (20% 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 City Pure 61 Semi Auto?
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