Smart (mcc) Cabriolet MOT Failures
An analysis of 20,750 real DVSA MOT tests on the Smart (mcc) Cabriolet — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: MC01 (1998–2007).
Where the Smart (mcc) Cabriolet fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Smart (mcc) Cabriolet is brake hoses perished or damaged — this model is 90 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 20,750 MOT tests, 7.95% of all Smart (mcc) Cabriolet tests recorded this as a failure.
Brake failures on the MOT range from worn pads and discs (routine maintenance) to corroded brake lines and seized calipers (more serious). Check for any pulling under braking and listen for grinding.
Other notable weak points include light unit fault (67x the fleet average), abs fault (13x the fleet average), engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (53x the fleet average), and emissions failure (8.9x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Smart (mcc) Cabriolet's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Brakes, Lights & Electrics, Suspension, Bodywork, Exhaust & Emissions. If you're inspecting a Smart (mcc) Cabriolet before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Smart (mcc) Cabriolet's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Smart (mcc) Cabriolet specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are brake hoses perished or damaged (90x the average) and light unit fault (67x). engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (53x) and abs fault (13x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Smart (mcc) Cabriolet specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ... (26x the average) and engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (21x). light unit fault (15x) and brake hoses perished or damaged (10x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Smart (mcc) Cabriolet specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (9.7x the average) and brake hoses perished or damaged (6.9x).
The shift from brake hoses perished or damaged at lower mileages to abs fault at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Smart (mcc) Cabriolet specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Flexible brake hose deterioration and failure (MC01) Dangerous
The flexible brake hoses on Smart Cabrios deteriorate at an exceptionally high rate, failing MOT tests at 90 times the national average at some mileage bands. Affects MC01; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£350.
Brake pipe corrosion (MC01) Dangerous
Brake pipes on Smart Cabrios corrode at 6.6 times the national average due to their exposed routing and the car's low ground clearance. Affects MC01; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£500.
Engine mounting bracket failure (MC01) Major
The engine mounting brackets on Smart Cabrios fail at 53 times the national average due to the combination of a rear-mounted engine, convertible body flex, and undersized mounting components. Affects MC01; typical independent garage repair cost is £250–£400.
Brake binding issues (MC01) Major
Smart Cabrios show brake binding at 6.9 times the national average due to caliper piston corrosion and contaminated brake fluid. Affects MC01; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Smart (mcc) Cabriolet common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Smart (mcc) Cabriolet
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Smart (mcc) Cabriolet:
Brakes — check for brake hoses perished or damaged. Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault, electrical wiring fault. Suspension — check for abs fault, suspension component damaged or corroded. Bodywork — check for engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det..., fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ....
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about flexible brake hose deterioration and failure and brake pipe corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £200. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Smart (mcc) Cabriolet?
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Smart (mcc) Cabriolet MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Smart (mcc) Cabriolet?
Based on 20,750 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is brake hoses perished or damaged — at 90x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include light unit fault and abs fault.
Is the Smart (mcc) Cabriolet reliable based on MOT data?
The Smart (mcc) Cabriolet has 12 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag flexible brake hose deterioration and failure as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Smart (mcc) Cabriolet most commonly fails on abs fault and brake hoses perished or damaged. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are brake hoses perished or damaged and light unit fault.
How do I check a Smart (mcc) Cabriolet's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.