2004 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(Rhd) — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,159 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(Rhd), the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 78.5% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 28.4% in the 150k+ group versus 15.5% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 490 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.8% | 248 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.3% | 230 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.8% | 120 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.0% | 94 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.5% | 80 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 134 |
| 2 | Individual direction indicators | 112 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 109 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 109 |
| 5 | Wipers | 104 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 98 |
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 | 35.6% | 1,124 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.1% | 857 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.7% | 559 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 442 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.3% | 387 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.8% | 216 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 187 | 15.5% |
| 30-60k | 763 | 18.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,084 | 23.3% |
| 90-120k | 834 | 22.3% |
| 120-150k | 203 | 22.7% |
| 150k+ | 74 | 28.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 748 | 22.6% |
| 2022 | 674 | 18.6% |
| 2023 | 631 | 20.8% |
| 2024 | 568 | 23.2% |
| 2025 | 538 | 22.9% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Roadster 80 Auto(Rhd)
Before buying a 2004 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(Rhd), focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 15.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (15.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (7.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 2004 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(Rhd)s pass their MOT?
78.5% of the 3,159 2004 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(Rhd) MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(Rhd)?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.5% of tests, followed by brakes (7.8%).
Does the 2004 Roadster 80 Auto(Rhd) get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.5% in the 0-30k band to 28.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,159 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.