Smart (mcc)
Roadster
1,465 MOT tests analysed. lands in the middle of the pack — here's where Roadsters pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 1.1 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
76.4%
Pass-after-fix
3.3%
Fail
18.6%
Avg miles
76,386
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
This model's production run straddles the January 2006 Euro 4 cutoff. Individual cars vary — check your registration plate on the government's ULEZ checker. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
Roadster: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 1,074 MOT tests, the Roadster returns 75.8% first-time pass — roughly in line with the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a number-plate lamp out. Lamp emitted colour, position and a torn steering gaiter round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 75,220, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
61 occurrences · 4.2% of tests
- 02
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
31 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 03
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
30 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
- 04
Audible warning inoperative
27 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 05
Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
27 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 06
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
25 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 07
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
25 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 08
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
21 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
- 09
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
20 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
- 10
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
19 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
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Buying or keeping a Roadster?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Roadster and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.