2003 Mcc Smart Passion Softouch Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 415 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Mcc Smart Passion Softouch Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, visibility and emissions & environmental. Its pass rate of 71.8% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.3%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.4% | 93 |
| 2 | Visibility | 12.0% | 50 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 10.6% | 44 |
| 4 | Suspension | 10.1% | 42 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 33 |
| 6 | Brakes | 7.2% | 30 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 68 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 55 |
| 3 | Washers | 47 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 31 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 24 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 17 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 30.6% | 127 |
| 2 | Suspension | 21.0% | 87 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.0% | 83 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.6% | 73 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.2% | 59 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.5% | 52 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 123 | 33.3% |
| 60-90k | 165 | 24.2% |
| 90-120k | 82 | 26.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 115 | 28.7% |
| 2022 | 101 | 30.7% |
| 2023 | 82 | 29.3% |
| 2024 | 60 | 21.7% |
| 2025 | 57 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Smart Passion Softouch Auto
Before buying a 2003 Mcc Smart Passion Softouch Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 22.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (22.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (12.0% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (10.6% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2003 Mcc Smart Passion Softouch Autos pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 415 2003 Mcc Smart Passion Softouch Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Mcc Smart Passion Softouch Auto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.4% of tests, followed by visibility (12.0%).
Does the 2003 Smart Passion Softouch Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 33.3% in the 30-60k band to 26.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 415 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.