Skip to main content
Check
Smart

Smart City reliability by build year

Coverage 1998-20071 named generationHatchbackPETROL

We've only got 1,345 MOT tests for Smart Citys built around 2004 (21 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Smart City built around 2004: about average at the MOT

Smart Citys built around 2004 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Smart City by number plate

Key figure

30% of MOT tests on Smart Citys built around 2004 ended in a fail (retests included), against 32% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Smart Citys built around 2004 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Smart City's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your City's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

W

W450 (City-Coupe/ForTwo Mk1) (1998-2007)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROL

29.5% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 1,345 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL
340 MOT tests across all agesLimited data

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Smart City.

See every build year for the Smart City

By age

Smart City fail rate by age

This chart combines every Smart City ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
6621.2%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
7529.3%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
12630.2%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
12626.2%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
28028.9%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,05432.2%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
78229.9%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
86028.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,34529.5%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
99030.9%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
48731.8%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
12525.6%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
6429.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 18 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 21-year-old Smart Citys

These issues come from 21-year-old Smart Citys, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    16.4%
    Advisory: 322Fail: 23 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    14.5%
    Advisory: 211Fail: 53 (20% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    14.3%
    Advisory: 264Fail: 17 (6% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    14.3%
    Advisory: 190Fail: 4 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    13.4%
    Advisory: 218Fail: 2 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,345 MOT tests on 21-year-old Smart Citys, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 21-year-old Smart Citys notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Suspension34%
  2. Brakes + Lighting27%
  3. Lighting + Suspension27%
  4. Suspension + Tyres22%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 737 MOT tests on Smart City cars built around 2004 (21 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Smart City.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Smart City name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Subaru Impreza

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    20.4%

    Lower fail rate: 20.4%, against 29.5% for the Smart City, both built around 2004.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,984 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  2. 2

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    32.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    No clear edge over the Smart City on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    17,263 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  3. 3

    Renault Clio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    34.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.9%

    No clear edge over the Smart City on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    7,283 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  4. 4

    Toyota Yaris

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    32.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.4%

    No clear edge over the Smart City on these figures.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    15,502 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2004 (21 years old), the Smart City across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 1,345 21-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Smart City ever sold: 6,380 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2004 (21 years old): 1,345 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.