Smart (mcc) Roadster Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Smart (mcc) Roadster car check
Is the Smart (mcc) Roadster reliable? We analysed 33,271 real MOT tests across 2,102 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Smart (mcc) Roadster? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Smart (mcc) Roadster is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include registration plate lamp not working, position lamp(s) not working and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Smart (mcc) Roadster.
Smart (mcc) Roadster Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Smart (mcc) Roadster. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Smart (mcc) Roadster MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Smart (mcc) Roadster to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Smart (mcc) Roadster Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Smart (mcc) Roadster fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Smart (mcc) Roadster Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Smart (mcc) Roadster owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Smart (mcc) Roadster MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Smart (mcc) Roadster year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 53 | 86.8% | 20,141 | 26,209 | 34,021 |
| 2007 | 655 | 76.9% | 23,077 | 39,338 | 55,092 |
| 2006 | 3,611 | 76.2% | 28,437 | 46,659 | 68,265 |
| 2005 | 11,013 | 74.8% | 33,370 | 51,467 | 73,983 |
| 2004 | 13,028 | 74.4% | 35,308 | 55,275 | 78,491 |
| 2003 | 4,103 | 73.7% | 35,489 | 56,714 | 81,980 |
| 2002 | 207 | 69.1% | 40,712 | 52,439 | 72,759 |
| 2001 | 220 | 70.9% | 43,899 | 58,518 | 71,744 |
| 2000 | 189 | 67.7% | 61,333 | 77,661 | 108,433 |
How Long Does a Smart (mcc) Roadster Last?
Based on 2,102 Smart (mcc) Roadster vehicles on UK roads.
Smart (mcc) Roadster Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Smart (mcc) Roadster MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Smart (mcc) Roadster
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.8% MOT pass rate from 53 tests
67.7% MOT pass rate from 189 tests
The best year to buy a used Smart (mcc) Roadster is 2008, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.8% across 53 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 67.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Smart (mcc) Roadster Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smart (mcc) Roadster THIS CAR | 74.6% | 33,271 | 52,909 mi | 23 yrs |
| Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe | 75.2% | 440,585 | 45,098 mi | 24 yrs |
| Smart (mcc) City Coupe | 71.5% | 282,294 | 49,203 mi | 27 yrs |
| Smart (mcc) Forfour | 78.9% | 256,394 | 38,541 mi | 22 yrs |
| Perodua Kenari | 75.2% | 26,232 | 38,394 mi | 26 yrs |
Compared to the Smart (mcc) Fortwo Coupe (75.2% pass rate) and the Smart (mcc) City Coupe (71.5% pass rate), the Smart (mcc) Roadster sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Smart (mcc) Roadster you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Smart (mcc) RoadsterShould you buy a used Smart (mcc) Roadster?
The Smart (mcc) Roadster has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.6% across 33,271 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Smart (mcc) Roadster are registration plate lamp not working (713 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (623), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (587). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Smart (mcc) Roadster owner drives around 3,229 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Smart (mcc) Roadster models stay on UK roads for around 23 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.