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AY53 CAU

2003 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd)

Silver Petrol 698cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires25 Jan 2027
Tests29 (18 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate62.1%

Mileage

96,401 mi
Last recorded96,401 miles
Recorded on26 Jan 2026
Typical for 2003 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd)60,888 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationAY53 CAU
MakeSmart
ModelRoadster 80 Auto(rhd)
Year2003
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine698cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

18 pass 11 fail
Pass 26 Jan 2026 96,401 miles
Fail 26 Jan 2026 96,400 miles

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 17 Jan 2025 93,292 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened n/s and o/s (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin n/s and o/s (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Upper Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced n/s and o/s (6.1.1 (c) (i))

under body corrosion

Fail 16 Jan 2025 93,289 miles

Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel n/s and o/s (1.2.1 (a) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened n/s and o/s (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin n/s and o/s (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Upper Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced n/s and o/s (6.1.1 (c) (i))

under body corrosion

Pass 26 Oct 2023 88,523 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 1 Nov 2022 84,779 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated both (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fail 26 Oct 2022 84,778 miles

Offside Front Outer Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated both (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 10 Sep 2021 80,102 miles

Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play Boith (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Direction indicator lens defective which has no effect on emitted light (4.4.1 (b) (i))

Offside Engine mounting damaged but not to excess (6.1.8 (a) (i))

Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread Both (0.1 (b))

Some body damage

Pass 11 Sep 2020 77,305 miles

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. handbrake (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly damaged (1.1.11 (c))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 11 Sep 2020 77,305 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. handbrake (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly damaged (1.1.11 (c))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 12 Sep 2019 74,438 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 11 Sep 2019 74,438 miles

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 18 Jul 2018 71,561 miles
Pass 15 Jun 2017 67,453 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly damaged (2.2.D.2b)

Nearside rear parking (secondary) brake imbalance requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.6b)

Fail 15 Jun 2017 67,453 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly damaged (2.2.D.2b)

Nearside rear parking (secondary) brake imbalance requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.6b)

Pass 8 Jul 2016 65,176 miles

Nearside Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. handbrake (3.7.B.5b)

Fail 8 Jul 2016 65,176 miles

Nearside Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. handbrake (3.7.B.5b)

Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 6 Jul 2015 60,948 miles

Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

n/s/r hand brake poor

Fail 3 Jul 2015 60,654 miles

Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

o/s/r tyre wall cracking up

Pass 10 Jul 2014 53,000 miles

Front and rear brake pipes corroded.

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 9 Jul 2014 53,000 miles

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated (7.2.4c)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Front and rear brake pipes corroded.

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 3 Apr 2013 51,602 miles

Centre Upper Stop lamp has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.2.1b)

Fail 3 Apr 2013 51,602 miles

Nearside Front Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Centre Upper Stop lamp has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.2.1b)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Pass 21 Mar 2012 45,608 miles

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 16 Mar 2012 45,608 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside Rear Anti-lock braking system component slightly damaged (3.4.2)

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 11 Mar 2011 36,527 miles

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 18 Feb 2010 28,951 miles

Both front tyres and n/s/r perished-not to cord

Gaiter split on o/s/f bottom ball joint-no movement

Pass 24 Sep 2008 21,965 miles
Pass 28 Sep 2007 15,971 miles

How Reliable is the Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd)?

Based on 44,118 MOT tests across 2,659 vehicles.

74.0%
Pass Rate
3,707
Miles/Year
23
Year Lifespan
2,659
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Registration plate lamp not working 986
position lamp(s) not working 848
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 827
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 800
Stop lamp not working 785
Full Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) reliability report

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AY53 CAU is a 2003 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) in Silver with a 698cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.1%.

Across all 2003 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.2% with a typical mileage of 60,888 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) fails its MOT is registration plate lamp not working, accounting for 986 recorded failures. If you're considering buying AY53 CAU, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) typically stays on UK roads for around 23 years. At 23 years old, this Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of AY53 CAU?

You can check the full history of AY53 CAU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AY53 CAU registered?

AY53 CAU is a 2003 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd), first registered on 7 November 2003.

Is AY53 CAU safe to buy?

The MOT history for AY53 CAU shows 29 tests with a 62.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AY53 CAU have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on AY53 CAU. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.