CarVerify

Free Car Check

FJ53 HGL

2003 Smart (mcc) City Coupe

Black Petrol 698cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires10 Dec 2026
Tests29 (18 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate62.1%

Mileage

58,922 mi
Last recorded58,922 miles
Recorded on11 Dec 2025
Typical for 2003 Smart (mcc) City Coupe47,556 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Smart (mcc)
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £14.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationFJ53 HGL
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

18 pass 11 fail
Pass 11 Dec 2025 58,922 miles

Front suspension components corroded

Offside Front Anti-roll bar 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 Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 14 Nov 2024 56,427 miles

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened all front and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 11 Nov 2024 56,427 miles

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

Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect both fronts (4.1.2 (c))

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

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

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

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened all front and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 27 Jun 2023 56,143 miles

Nearside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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 Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Fail 16 Jun 2023 56,140 miles

Emissions unable to be completed oil light on dash and bad oil leak (8.2.1.2 (d))

Nearside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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 Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 4 Mar 2021 54,843 miles

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

Pass 7 Mar 2020 49,781 miles

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

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

Pass 9 Mar 2019 46,378 miles

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

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

undertray fitted covering most of car floor

Fail 2 Mar 2019 46,334 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

undertray fitted covering most of car floor

Pass 20 Feb 2018 44,060 miles

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

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

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

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

Oil leak ()

Fail 19 Feb 2018 44,060 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

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

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

Oil leak ()

Pass 1 Mar 2017 42,396 miles
Pass 12 Mar 2016 38,730 miles

oil leak

Fail 8 Mar 2016 38,730 miles

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

front brake excessively fluctuating (3.7.B.3)

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

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

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

Nearside seat belt twisted

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

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

Offside seat belt twisted

oil leak

Pass 12 Jun 2014 35,450 miles
Pass 27 Jun 2013 34,313 miles
Pass 29 Jun 2012 32,361 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 2 Feb 2012 32,134 miles
Fail 1 Feb 2012 32,134 miles

Bootlid cannot be secured in the closed position (6.4.1)

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

Pass 16 Feb 2011 27,052 miles
Fail 15 Feb 2011 27,049 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

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

Pass 9 Mar 2010 23,498 miles

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

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

Fail 9 Mar 2010 23,496 miles

Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Offside Headlamp aim not tested (1.8.A.1c)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Fail 12 Mar 2009 21,237 miles

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

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

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Pass 12 Mar 2009 21,237 miles

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

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

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

Pass 2 Apr 2008 17,996 miles
Fail 2 Apr 2008 17,995 miles

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

both rear tyres starting to perish

Pass 24 Jan 2007 13,298 miles
Fail 22 Jan 2007 13,298 miles

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

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

FJ53 HGL is a 2003 Smart (mcc) City Coupe in Black 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 (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 FJ53 HGL, 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 FJ53 HGL?

You can check the full history of FJ53 HGL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was FJ53 HGL registered?

FJ53 HGL is a 2003 Smart (mcc) City Coupe, first registered on 25 September 2003.

Is FJ53 HGL safe to buy?

The MOT history for FJ53 HGL 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 FJ53 HGL 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 FJ53 HGL. 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.