Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) MOT Failures

An analysis of 28,728 real DVSA MOT tests on the Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: 452 (2002–2007).

Where the Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) is light unit fault — this model is 29 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 28,728 MOT tests, 13.18% of all Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) tests recorded this as a failure.

Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.

Other notable weak points include abs fault (25x the fleet average), brake hoses perished or damaged (21x the fleet average), track rod ends worn (14x the fleet average), and electrical wiring fault (27x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd)'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: Lights & Electrics, Suspension, Brakes, Steering, Bodywork. If you're inspecting a Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) 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 Roadster 80 Auto(rhd)'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 Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are wheel bearings worn (34x the average) and electrical wiring fault (27x). abs fault (25x) and light unit fault (24x) 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 Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (35x the average) and light unit fault (18x). brake hoses perished or damaged (16x) and abs fault (15x) 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 Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are light unit fault (14x the average) and electrical wiring fault (13x). suspension component damaged or corroded (10x) and brake hoses perished or damaged (8.6x) also appear frequently.

The shift from wheel bearings worn at lower mileages to light unit 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 Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Engine mounting severe deterioration (452) Dangerous

The engine mounts on the Smart Roadster deteriorate severely causing excessive engine movement that can damage surrounding components and affect handling. Affects 452; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£350.

Flexible brake hose deterioration (452) Dangerous

The flexible brake hoses deteriorate at an exceptionally high rate on the Smart Roadster, failing MOT tests at 21.2 times the national fleet average. Affects 452; typical independent garage repair cost is £100–£180.

Brake pipe corrosion (452) Dangerous

Brake pipe corrosion affects Smart Roadsters at 9.2 times the national fleet average, with 2,563 MOT failures recorded across all mileage bands. Affects 452; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.

Shock absorber bush premature wear (452) Major

The shock absorber mounting bushes deteriorate prematurely on the Smart Roadster, showing MOT failure rates 24.6 times higher than the fleet average. Affects 452; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£250.

For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd)

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd):

Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault, electrical wiring fault. Suspension — check for abs fault, wheel bearings worn, suspension component damaged or corroded. Brakes — check for brake hoses perished or damaged. Steering — check for track rod ends worn.

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about engine mounting severe deterioration and flexible brake hose deterioration. 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.

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.