Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Smart Roadster Speedsilver 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 2004 Smart Roadster Speedsilver 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 2004 Smart Roadster Speedsilver 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 2004 Smart Roadster Speedsilver Auto vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

35% 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 2004 Smart Roadster Speedsilver Auto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 128 vehicles, the 2004 Smart Roadster Speedsilver Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 75.5%, 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 2004 Smart Roadster Speedsilver 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 Roadster Speedsilver Auto (2004)

128 real MOT outcomes analysed • 75.5% first-time pass rate

2004 Smart Roadster Speedsilver Auto

CarHunch analysed 128 real MOT records for the 2004 Smart Roadster Speedsilver 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 Compare Models

The 2004 SMART ROADSTER SPEEDSILVER AUTO falls below the UK average pass rate at 74.9% versus 80%, which is a meaningful gap—but the real concern is that 35.2% of these cars have suffered dangerous defects, well above the typical threshold. This is a reliability red flag that should weigh heavily in your purchase decision.

At 53,447 miles average and 50,495 miles median, these Roadsters are reasonably low-mileage for their age, yet they're still generating 4.19 failures and 21.6 advisories per vehicle on average, suggesting the model has genuine wear-and-tear vulnerabilities. Before committing to one, get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically covers suspension, braking, and electrical systems—the clusters most likely to trip the dangerous defect rating.

We have limited data for the 2004 Smart Roadster Speedsilver Auto — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ 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

75.5%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

35.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.19

Over 16.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

50k

Middle half: 38k–66k

For context

These stats describe 128 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 128 Smart Roadster Speedsilver Auto cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Smart Roadster Speedsilver Auto

Based on MOT data from 128 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 35.2% 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%)	125	75.5%	4.26

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Smart Roadster Speedsilver 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.

50,495

typical

38,254

low mileage

65,981

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Smart Roadster Speedsilver Auto vehicles fall between 38,254 and 65,981 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 38,254 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.

✓ 38,254–65,981 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Smart Roadster Speedsilver Autos sit.

⚠ Over 89,074 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Smart Roadster Speedsilver Auto — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 38% of 2004 Smart Roadster Speedsilver Autos are still active.

Numbers are declining — 39 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (38% 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

16.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.19

Avg failures per vehicle

21.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Smart Roadster Speedsilver Auto stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing