CarCostCheck

SMART CITY PASSION 61 AUTO (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 102 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,530

£128/month

MOT Pass Rate

75%

Average

Road Tax

£20

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

698cc Petrol

Check Carefully

75% pass rate, £1530/year to run. 7 points below average.

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Petrol698cc23 years old102 tests66k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 698cc)

~50 mpg

£955
Road Tax

Based on 698cc

£20
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£1,530
Per month£128/mo
Per week£29/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

75% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 7 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the SMART brand average of 80%.

At 23 years old, 75% of SMART CITY PASSION 61 AUTOs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 102 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 66,445 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars183th of 445(top 41%)
Rank among SMART models92th of 123(top 75%)
vs national average-7%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average+3%(72% avg)
vs SMART average-5%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

66,445

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 SMART CITY PASSION 61 AUTO has 66,445 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2005 model with a 78% MOT pass rate, while the 2007 model has the lowest at 71%. The 2003 sits between the two at 75%.

SMART CITY PASSION 61 AUTO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200771%23168,098 mi
200672%30964,878 mi
200578%27172,870 mi
200472%25973,071 mi
200375%10266,445 mi

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About the 2003 SMART CITY PASSION 61 AUTO

The 2003 SMART CITY PASSION 61 AUTO is a city car with a 698cc petrol engine. 102 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 66,445 miles at 23 years old, SMART CITY PASSION 61 AUTO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2003 SMART CITY PASSION 61 AUTO Fuel Costs

The modest 698cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2003 SMART CITY PASSION 61 AUTO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,530 128/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 75% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

SMART CITY PASSION 61 AUTO Reliability Trend

The SMART CITY PASSION 61 AUTO has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 0 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2003 SMART CITY PASSION 61 AUTO

At 23 years old, the SMART CITY PASSION 61 AUTO is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2005 model has the highest pass rate at 78%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 SMART CITY PASSION 61 AUTO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2003 SMART CITY PASSION 61 AUTO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SMART CITY PASSION 61 AUTO(2003)75%£955£20Grp 1-8£1530
NISSAN MICRA(2005)72%£955£30Grp 1-8£1540+£10
VAUXHALL CORSA(2004)68%£955£30Grp 1-8£1740+£210
KIA PICANTO(2005)66%£955£30Grp 1-8£1740+£210
PEUGEOT 107(2005)69%£955£30Grp 1-8£1740+£210

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Smart Models

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