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BU53 ZCO

2003 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd)

Silver Petrol 698cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires4 Jan 2027
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

106,987 mi
Last recorded106,987 miles
Recorded on5 Jan 2026
Typical for 2003 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd)60,888 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Smart
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBU53 ZCO
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

20 pass 13 fail
Pass 5 Jan 2026 106,987 miles

Front Coil spring corroded X2 (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear X2 (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

surface corrosion on body, chassis & suspension component

Fail 20 Dec 2025 106,801 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (7.1.2 (e))

Front Coil spring corroded X2 (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear X2 (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

surface corrosion on body, chassis & suspension component

Fail 2 Dec 2025 106,679 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both front to rear pipes corroded and covered by underfloor trims (1.1.11 (c))

Front Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Lower Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner sills both sides (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 17 Dec 2024 103,756 miles
Fail 22 Aug 2024 102,950 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded from flexi to cylinder (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Pass 17 Nov 2023 100,093 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 3 Nov 2023 100,005 miles

Emissions unable to be completed exhaust leak (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 30 Nov 2022 98,158 miles
Fail 8 Oct 2022 98,131 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 20 Sep 2022 97,994 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 5 Oct 2021 95,161 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 5 Oct 2021 95,161 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 29 Sep 2020 90,769 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule All (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Brake hose slightly deteriorated Both front (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 21 Sep 2019 85,982 miles

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 29 Sep 2018 80,234 miles
Fail 15 Sep 2018 80,212 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both front lower bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Direction indicator slightly discoloured bothrear (4.4.3 (a))

Front Outer Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Pass 2 Sep 2017 73,070 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Front brake disc modified but not seriously weakened (3.5.1n)

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 31 Aug 2016 66,381 miles

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

rear tyres cracking

Fail 31 Aug 2016 66,381 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

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

rear tyres cracking

Pass 26 Aug 2015 61,639 miles

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

both front tyres cracked and perished

Fail 25 Aug 2015 61,639 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

both front tyres cracked and perished

Pass 23 Aug 2014 56,737 miles
Pass 28 Aug 2013 51,596 miles

Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 23 Aug 2012 46,390 miles

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

Fail 22 Aug 2012 46,374 miles

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 22 Aug 2011 41,228 miles

Nail in offside rear tyre

Nearside Front position lamp(s) damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside lower dust cover split/missing

Pass 22 Aug 2011 41,228 miles

Nail in offside rear tyre

Nearside Front position lamp(s) damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

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

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

Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside lower dust cover split/missing

Pass 4 Sep 2010 36,566 miles
Fail 27 Aug 2009 31,398 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

engine oil sump slightly corroded

fuel cap sealing washer slightly deteriorated

Pass 27 Aug 2009 31,398 miles

engine oil sump slightly corroded

fuel cap sealing washer slightly deteriorated

Pass 3 Sep 2008 26,389 miles
Pass 30 Aug 2007 20,263 miles
Pass 14 Sep 2006 13,753 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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BU53 ZCO is a 2003 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) in Silver with a 698cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.6%.

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 BU53 ZCO, 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 BU53 ZCO?

You can check the full history of BU53 ZCO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BU53 ZCO registered?

BU53 ZCO is a 2003 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd), first registered on 25 September 2003.

Is BU53 ZCO safe to buy?

The MOT history for BU53 ZCO shows 33 tests with a 60.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BU53 ZCO 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 BU53 ZCO. 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.