Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd) (2003)
2003 Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd)
CarHunch analysed 285 real MOT records for the 2003 Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd). This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2003 Smart Roadster Coupe is noticeably less reliable than the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of just 71.3% against the national 80%, and nearly a quarter of examples (23.2%) have suffered dangerous defects at some point—a significant buyer concern. The petrol engine variant shows the same weak 71.2% pass rate, so fuel type isn't a differentiator here.
These cars average 4.11 failures and 20 advisories per test, suggesting systemic wear and minor issues across the board; at 61,000 miles the median mileage is reasonable for age, but the high advisory count points to accumulated degradation rather than neglect. If you're considering one, budget for remedial work and request a full service history—this is a specialist car that rewards proper maintenance and will punish neglect.
What to check before buying a 2003 Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd)
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.
- ⚠️ 23.2% 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 Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd)
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 (99%) | 281 | 71.2% | 4.15 |
| Other (1%) | 3 | 77.8% | 0.67 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 85.7% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd) 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 2003 Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd) vehicles fall between 47,273 and 73,441 miles.
2003 Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd) — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 68 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (35% 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
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