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Smart Roadster reliability by build year

Coverage 2003-20061 named generationConvertiblePETROL

We've only got 1,118 MOT tests for Smart Roadsters built around 2005 (20 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Smart Roadster built around 2005: about average at the MOT

Smart Roadsters built around 2005 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 Roadster by number plate

Key figure

24% of MOT tests on Smart Roadsters built around 2005 ended in a fail (retests included), against 24% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Smart Roadsters built around 2005 involves the brakes.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Smart Roadster'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.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

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 Roadster's generation

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

Roadster W452

W452 (2003-2006)

Excellent
PETROL

23.6% fail rate, built around 2005 (20 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.3%)

From 1,118 MOT tests at this ageView details →

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 Roadster.

See every build year for the Smart Roadster

By age

Smart Roadster fail rate by age

This chart combines every Smart Roadster 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
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
19319.2%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
48621.2%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,11823.6%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
92624.7%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
10922.0%

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 21 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 20-year-old Smart Roadsters

These issues come from 20-year-old Smart Roadsters, 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

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    19.9%
    Advisory: 374Fail: 18 (5% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    14.1%
    Advisory: 184Fail: 37 (17% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    11.3%
    Advisory: 158Fail: 3 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    10.6%
    Advisory: 116Fail: 4 (3% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    10.4%
    Advisory: 177Fail: 10 (5% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,118 MOT tests on 20-year-old Smart Roadsters, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 20-year-old Smart Roadsters 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 + Suspension39%
  2. Brakes + Lighting27%
  3. Lighting + Suspension26%
  4. Brakes + Other21%

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

Across 529 MOT tests on Smart Roadster cars built around 2005 (20 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 Roadster.

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 Roadster name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles to compare

  1. 1

    Mercedes-Benz SL

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.4%
    Dangerous
    4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.5%

    Lower fail rate: 14.7%, against 23.6% for the Smart Roadster, both built around 2005.

    1,356 MOT tests on cars built around 2005

  2. 2

    Porsche Boxster

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.3%
    Dangerous
    2.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.9%

    Lower fail rate: 17.6%, against 23.6% for the Smart Roadster, both built around 2005.

    2,930 MOT tests on cars built around 2005

  3. 3

    MG TF

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.4%

    No clear edge over the Smart Roadster on these figures.

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

    2,315 MOT tests on cars built around 2005

  4. 4

    Mercedes-Benz SLK

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    10.1%
    Dangerous
    5.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    92.7%

    No clear edge over the Smart Roadster on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    5,304 MOT tests on cars built around 2005

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
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 2005 (20 years old), the Smart Roadster across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,118 20-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Smart Roadster ever sold: 2,832 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2005 (20 years old): 1,118 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.