2004 Smart City Coupe · 2,709 MOT tests
2004 Smart City Coupe reliability
2004 Smart City Coupes fail 40.8% of first MOT tests, 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 6 City Coupe years (2,709 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Smart City Coupes: 41.1%)
- 40.8%
- first-time fail rate (all Smart City Coupes: 41.1%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 6% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 67,950
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 2,709
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 9.6% of tests fail here (69% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 41% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Smart City Coupe
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics26%
- Suspension11.8%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors11.1%
- Brakes10.2%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks9.6%
- Body, chassis and structure5.6%
- Tyres4.8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 6.64%
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 5.13%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 4.65%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Lambda reading outside specified limits 4.36%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Position lamp not working 4.28%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.17%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (13.36%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.15%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (10.71%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (10.15%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (7.49%) · Flexible brake hose slightly deteriorated (6.53%)
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 2004 Smart City Coupe reliable?
2004 Smart City Coupes fail 40.8% of first MOT tests, 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 6 City Coupe years (2,709 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Smart City Coupe MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (6.64% of tests), stop lamp not working (5.13% of tests), windscreen washer fluid insufficient (4.65% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Smart City Coupe have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2004 Smart City Coupe shows 67,950 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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