Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd) MOT Failures
An analysis of 5,678 real DVSA MOT tests on the Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd) — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: C452 (2003–2005).
Where the Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd) fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd) is abs fault — this model is 24 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 5,678 MOT tests, 14.54% of all Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd) tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include light unit fault (37x the fleet average), brake hoses perished or damaged (17x the fleet average), suspension component damaged or corroded (20x the fleet average), and wheel bearings worn (7.3x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Smart Roadster Coupe 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 4 categories: Suspension, Lights & Electrics, Brakes, Exhaust & Emissions. If you're inspecting a Smart Roadster Coupe 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 Coupe 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 Coupe 80 Auto(rhd) specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (24x the average) and light unit fault (12x). fluid leak (5.7x) and suspension pin, bush or joint worn (5.4x) 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 Coupe 80 Auto(rhd) specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are light unit fault (37x the average) and suspension component damaged or corroded (19x). brake hoses perished or damaged (17x) and abs fault (16x) 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 Coupe 80 Auto(rhd) specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are light unit fault (19x the average) and abs fault (17x). brake hoses perished or damaged (8.1x) and wheel bearings worn (7.3x) also appear frequently.
The shift from abs fault 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 Coupe 80 Auto(rhd) specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Suspension component damage (C452) Dangerous
Suspension components on the Roadster suffer excessive damage or corrosion at 19.5 times the national fleet average, typically manifesting as control arm or subframe deterioration. Affects C452; typical independent garage repair cost is £500–£1,200.
Brake hose deterioration (C452) Dangerous
Flexible brake hoses on the Roadster deteriorate at 17.4 times the national fleet average, with failures typically occurring from 60,000 miles. Affects C452; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Brake pipe corrosion (C452) Dangerous
Brake pipe corrosion affects the Roadster at 5.3 times the national fleet average across all mileage bands, with 750 documented MOT failures. Affects C452; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£600.
Shock absorber bush excessive wear (C452) Major
The shock absorber bushes on the Roadster wear at an exceptionally high rate compared to conventional cars, with MOT data showing failure rates 23.5 times the national fleet average. Affects C452; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£500.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd) common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd)
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd):
Suspension — check for abs fault, suspension component damaged or corroded, wheel bearings worn, suspension pin, bush or joint worn. Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault. Brakes — check for brake hoses perished or damaged, brake pipes corroded.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about suspension component damage and brake hose deterioration. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £500. 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 Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd)?
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Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd) MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd)?
Based on 5,678 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is abs fault — at 24x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include light unit fault and brake hoses perished or damaged.
Is the Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd) reliable based on MOT data?
The Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd) has 8 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag suspension component damage 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 Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd) most commonly fails on light unit fault and abs fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are abs fault and light unit fault.
How do I check a Smart Roadster Coupe 80 Auto(rhd)'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.