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BU53 ZKC

2003 Smart (mcc) City Coupe

Black Petrol 698cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Sep 2027
Tests32 (20 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

48,631 mi
Last recorded48,631 miles
Recorded on10 Sep 2026
Typical for 2003 Smart (mcc) City Coupe47,556 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Smart (mcc)
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBU53 ZKC
MakeSmart (mcc)
ModelCity Coupe
Year2003
ColourBlack
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 12 fail
Pass 10 Sep 2026 48,631 miles

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

nearside front lower arm inner rear bush worn to the limit.

Fail 3 Sep 2026 48,631 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Pass 20 Aug 2025 47,255 miles

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

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

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

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

Rear Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 20 Aug 2025 47,255 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Rear Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 31 Jul 2025 47,248 miles

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front fog lamp not working

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

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

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

Pass 27 Jun 2024 46,764 miles

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

Fail 27 Jun 2024 46,764 miles

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

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

Pass 27 Jun 2023 44,835 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

Fail 22 Jun 2023 44,823 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

Pass 13 Jun 2022 43,579 miles

Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Fail 13 Jun 2022 43,579 miles

Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Pass 26 May 2021 42,095 miles

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 8 Jun 2020 41,116 miles

Nearside Front seat belt twisted

Offside Front seat belt twisted

Pass 30 May 2019 39,304 miles

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

Pass 30 Apr 2018 37,736 miles
Pass 31 Oct 2017 37,184 miles

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

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Fail 31 Oct 2017 37,182 miles

Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1)

Offside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 26 Oct 2016 35,722 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

underguards fitted

Fail 26 Oct 2016 35,722 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer torn (7.2.4c)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

underguards fitted

Pass 23 Oct 2015 33,974 miles
Fail 20 Oct 2015 33,908 miles

Nearside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Pass 10 Jan 2014 29,708 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 10 Jan 2014 29,708 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 17 Jan 2013 26,670 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 12 Jan 2012 22,371 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

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

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Fail 12 Jan 2012 22,371 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

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

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 24 Jan 2011 18,809 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 16 Jan 2010 16,032 miles
Fail 9 Jan 2010 16,001 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Pass 28 Jan 2009 14,531 miles
Pass 21 Jan 2008 12,638 miles
Pass 22 Jan 2007 10,286 miles

How Reliable is the Smart (mcc) City Coupe?

Based on 282,294 MOT tests across 17,380 vehicles.

71.5%
Pass Rate
3,273
Miles/Year
27
Year Lifespan
17,380
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Stop lamp not working 9,153
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 8,215
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 5,697
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 5,268
Headlamp aim too low 5,252
Full Smart (mcc) City Coupe reliability report

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BU53 ZKC is a 2003 Smart (mcc) City Coupe in Black with a 698cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

Across all 2003 Smart (mcc) City Coupe models, the average MOT pass rate is 71.9% with a typical mileage of 47,556 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 (mcc) City Coupe fails its MOT is stop lamp not working, accounting for 9,153 recorded failures. If you're considering buying BU53 ZKC, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Smart (mcc) City Coupe typically stays on UK roads for around 27 years. At 23 years old, this Smart (mcc) City Coupe is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of BU53 ZKC?

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

What year was BU53 ZKC registered?

BU53 ZKC is a 2003 Smart (mcc) City Coupe, first registered on 24 October 2003.

Is BU53 ZKC safe to buy?

The MOT history for BU53 ZKC shows 32 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BU53 ZKC 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 ZKC. 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.