At a Glance
The Smart Roadster has 31 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with Number plate lamp not working being the most reported. Brakes is the most common MOT failure category. The most serious issue flagged is Tyre valve stem damaged, rated as dangerous. Based on 86K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on this model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we calculate MOT pass rates and problems →
Below: the full MOT-data picture for the Smart Roadster — MOT pass rate vs the UK average, common problems vs UK fleet patterns, the most likely MOT failures by frequency, fault occurrence by mileage band, and pass/fail trends. All numbers drawn from DVSA records.
Smart Roadster MOT Pass Rate
Across 86K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Smart Roadster (2003–2006) has a fail rate of 33.3%.
UK average fail rate (2006): 35.3%
Common Smart Roadster Problems
Owner-submitted reports plus patterns we've identified across 559 million UK MOT tests. Each MOT-derived item below — whether tagged as a Problem, Wear & Tear or Consumable — shows up noticeably more often on this generation than across the UK fleet, which is why it's here. Owner reports are pinned to the top by default; use the sort and filter pills below to view a specific tier or change the order.
Number plate lamp not working
5,980
occurrences
Stop lamp not working
4,690
occurrences
Wiper blades deteriorated
4,570
occurrences
Front lamp not working
2,573
occurrences
Tyre condition
2,502
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Smart Roadster owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Smart Roadster owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Problems by mileage
Common problems, MOT failures and advisories on the Smart Roadster, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
255 distinct problems · 144,736 total occurrences in current filter
Filter by fuel and engine size to narrow down to your car.
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Advisory items are MOT tester observations. Frequency can be influenced by driving style and usage patterns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Smart Roadster problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Smart Roadster Roadster (2003–2006), we have identified 31 common problems. The most frequently reported is "Number plate lamp not working". Brakes is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Smart Roadster?
This generation has 86K MOT tests on record with a 33.3% fail rate. A fault is flagged as a "Common Problem" only when it occurs significantly more often on this model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence.
What commonly fails the MOT on a Smart Roadster?
There are 143 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the Roadster (2003–2006), grouped by the mileage these failures typically occur. See the Common MOT Failures section on this page.
Can I report a problem with my Smart Roadster?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Smart Roadster owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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