2003 Smart City Coupe · 3,770 MOT tests
2003 Smart City Coupe reliability
2003 Smart City Coupes fail 41.9% of first MOT tests, 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 6 City Coupe years (3,770 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Smart City Coupes: 41.1%)
- 41.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Smart City Coupes: 41.1%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 9% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 68,175
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,770
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- 2004 cars: 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 12% of tests fail here (104% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 45% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Smart City Coupe
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics26.5%
- Suspension12.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors12.7%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks12%
- Brakes10.2%
- Body, chassis and structure7.1%
- Tyres5.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 7.03%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Stop lamp not working 5.57%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 5.38%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Lambda reading outside specified limits 4.96%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Position lamp not working 3.79%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.45%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (13.47%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.43%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (10.61%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (9.84%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (9.31%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (5.38%)
Other years
Every Smart City Coupe year
The full picture: Smart City Coupe reliability. Before you pay for any Smart City Coupe, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Smart City Coupe reliable?
2003 Smart City Coupes fail 41.9% of first MOT tests, 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 6 City Coupe years (3,770 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Smart City Coupe MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (7.03% of tests), stop lamp not working (5.57% of tests), windscreen washer fluid insufficient (5.38% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Smart City Coupe have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Smart City Coupe shows 68,175 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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