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Smart Roadster W452 (2003-2006) reliability

At a glance

Smart Roadster W452 built around 2005: about average at the MOT

Smart Roadster W452 models 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.

Looking at a Smart Roadster W452?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

24% of MOT tests on Smart Roadster W452 models 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 Roadster W452 models built around 2005 involves the brakes.

Smart Roadster W452
excellent reliability2003-2006ConvertiblePETROL

Based on 2,760 tests of Roadster models registered 2003-2006.

About 1 in 10 Roadster W452 MOTs (9.8%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2005 (20 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,118 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 40 Roadster W452 MOTs (2.7%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2005 (20 years old).

Based on 1,118 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

W452 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
12317.9%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
48621.2%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,11823.6%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
92624.7%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
10721.5%

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.

How the Roadster W452 compares

At each age below, see how the Roadster W452 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 3,738 tests across 5 Smart models, built around 2005 (20 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateSmart average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
12317.9%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
48621.2%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,11823.6%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
92624.7%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
10721.5%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Roadster W452.

  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 W452, 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 W452, 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 W452 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 W452 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.

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.

What has gone wrong on Roadster W452 cars built around 2005

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 71 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
55%
Emissions
15%
Steering
6%
Bodywork
1%

Wear items

Lighting
66%
Brakes
55%
Tyres
34%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 17% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How Roadster W452 cars have aged

How Roadster W452 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%1516171819202122Age at MOTBuilt around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 21.9% (242 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 24.8% (246 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 24.2% (223 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 21.5% (186 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 19.1% (178 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 24.4% (705 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 23.6% (653 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 21.2% (584 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 23.5% (544 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 22.7% (481 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (971 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 24.7% (881 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 23.4% (799 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 25.6% (718 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (655 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 30.6% (186 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 24.4% (168 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 24.2% (132 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 20.2% (114 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 21.5% (107 tests, 2025 data)2003
First registered around 2006First registered around 2005First registered around 2004First registered around 2003
W452 variants compared

Roadster W452 variants built around 2005

The fail rate for each Roadster W452 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • ROADSTER 80 AUTO(RHD)24.0%433 tests
  • ROADSTER20.8%355 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Smart Roadsters of this age

This list covers every Smart Roadster built around 2005, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the W452 on its own.

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 tests

Looking at a Smart Roadster W452?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2005 (20 years old), the Smart Roadster W452 (2003-2006) 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.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 2,760 MOT tests on Smart Roadsters first registered between 2003-2006. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.