2004 Smart Roadster · 2,089 MOT tests
2004 Smart Roadster reliability
2004 Smart Roadsters fail 29.8% of first MOT tests, 26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 2 Roadster years (2,089 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Smart Roadsters: 28.9%)
- 29.8%
- first-time fail rate (all Smart Roadsters: 28.9%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 26% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 80,011
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 2,089
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: 31% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 76% 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 Roadster
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics15.4%
- Brakes8.5%
- Suspension7.8%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.1%
- Tyres3.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3%
- Steering2.3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 3.06%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Stop lamp not working 3.02%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Horn not working 2.87%
A non-working horn removes a key warning tool for other road users, so it must be repaired before driving.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.91%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Direction indicator wrong colour 1.91%
An indicator showing the wrong colour may confuse other drivers, so the lens or bulb should be replaced.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 1.82%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (18.14%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.35%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (9.29%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.75%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (6.46%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (6.46%)
Other years
Every Smart Roadster year
The full picture: Smart Roadster reliability. Before you pay for any Smart Roadster, 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 Roadster reliable?
2004 Smart Roadsters fail 29.8% of first MOT tests, 26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 2 Roadster years (2,089 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Smart Roadster MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (3.06% of tests), stop lamp not working (3.02% of tests), horn not working (2.87% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Smart Roadster have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Smart Roadster shows 80,011 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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