Smart City Pure 61 Semi-Auto (2003)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 34 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,450

£121/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

698cc Petrol

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £1,450/year to run. 9 points above average.

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Petrol698cc23 years old34 tests70k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 698cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£20

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,450

Per month£121/mo

Per week£28/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Smart brand average of 80%.

91% of MOT tests on Smart City Pure 61 Semi-Autos from 2003 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 21 years old. That's based on 34 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 69,940 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 models23rd of 429(top 6%)

Rank among Smart models19th of 123(top 16%)

vs average of all models+9%(82% avg)

vs 2003 models average+19%(72% avg)

vs Smart average+11%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

69,940

Average miles

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2003 Smart City Pure 61 Semi-Auto had 69,940 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-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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Smart City Pure 61 Semi-Auto by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2004	77%	31	66,353 mi
2003	91%	34	69,940 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Nissan Micra

2005 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

72%

-19%

Vauxhall Corsa

2004 · 998cc Petrol

£1,950/year

68%

-23%

Kia Picanto

2005 · 999cc Petrol

£1,950/year

66%

-25%

Peugeot 107

2005 · 998cc Petrol

£1,950/year

69%

-22%

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About the 2003 Smart City Pure 61 Semi-Auto

The 2003 Smart City Pure 61 Semi-Auto is a city car. Our records list a 698cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 34 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 6% of all 2003 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 69,940 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Smart City Pure 61 Semi-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 Pure 61 Semi-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 £1,175 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2003 Smart City Pure 61 Semi-Auto?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,450 (£121/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Buying a Used 2003 Smart City Pure 61 Semi-Auto

At 23 years old, the Smart City Pure 61 Semi-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. Note: with only 34 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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 Pure 61 Semi-Auto stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Smart City Pure 61 Semi-Auto(2003)	91%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,450
Nissan Micra(2005)	72%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750+£300
Vauxhall Corsa(2004)	68%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,950+£500
Kia Picanto(2005)	66%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,950+£500
Peugeot 107(2005)	69%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,950+£500

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2003 Smart City Pure 61 Semi-Auto

Is the 2003 Smart City Pure 61 Semi-Auto reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of MOT tests on 2003 Smart City Pure 61 Semi-Autos ended in a pass, from 34 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2003 Smart City Pure 61 Semi-Auto cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,450 a year (£121 a month): £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Smart City Pure 61 Semi-Auto?

91% of 34 MOT tests on the 2003 Smart City Pure 61 Semi-Auto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 23rd of 429 models first registered in 2003 (top 6%).

What is the average mileage for a 2003 Smart City Pure 61 Semi-Auto?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2003 Smart City Pure 61 Semi-Auto is 69,940 miles, which is significantly below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.