Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2005 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd)?

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 Roadster 80 Auto(rhd)?

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 Roadster 80 Auto(rhd)?

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 Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

28% 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 Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) reliable?

Based on MOT data from 597 vehicles, the 2005 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) has a first-time MOT pass rate of 75.6%, 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 2005 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd)?

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 Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) (2005)

597 real MOT outcomes analysed • 75.6% first-time pass rate

2005 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd)

CarHunch analysed 597 real MOT records for the 2005 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd). 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

The 2005 Smart Roadster 80 Auto fails to match the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of 73.9% against the national 80%—a meaningful gap that reflects real reliability concerns. More worryingly, 27.8% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above acceptable thresholds and a genuine buyer red flag.

At 52,347 miles median mileage for a nearly 20-year-old car, these Roadsters have been relatively gentle on, yet they average 4.05 failures per MOT cycle and a hefty 20.9 advisories, suggesting age and condition issues mount quickly. Before committing to one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on suspension geometry, brake condition, and electrical gremlins—this model's high advisory count indicates those systems deteriorate unpredictably.

The 2005 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) has a decent first-time pass rate (75.6%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ 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

75.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

27.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.05

Over 15.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

52k

Middle half: 39k–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 20.9 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 597 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 597 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) cars.

Before you buy a 2005 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd)

Based on MOT data from 597 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 27.8% 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 (98%)	586	75.3%	4.11

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,715 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 48.8%

1,325

Silver 31.9%

866

Blue 7.6%

207

Yellow 4.5%

123

Red 4.2%

113

Gold 1%

Grey 0.8%

Orange 0.4%

Green 0.3%

Beige 0.3%

White 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) 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.

52,347

typical

39,414

low mileage

67,394

high mileage

Half of all 2005 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) vehicles fall between 39,414 and 67,394 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 39,414 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.

✓ 39,414–67,394 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2005 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd)s sit.

⚠ Over 90,981 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 Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 43% of 2005 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd)s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 196 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (43% 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

15.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.05

Avg failures per vehicle

20.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd): All Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) years → Which year to buy? →

2003 2004 2006

Or browse all models: Smart →

Compare with another model

See how the 2005 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing