Smart (MCC) Cabriolet (2001)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 40 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,450

£121/month

MOT Pass Rate

95%

Excellent

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

698cc Petrol

Great Choice

95% pass rate, £1,450/year to run. 13 points above average.

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Petrol698cc25 years old40 tests63k 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

95% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 13 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Smart (MCC) brand average of 78%.

95% of MOT tests on Smart (MCC) Cabriolets from 2001 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 23 years old. That's based on 40 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 63,464 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2001 models8th of 350(top 3%)

Rank among Smart (MCC) models1st of 83(top 2%)

vs average of all models+13%(82% avg)

vs 2001 models average+22%(73% avg)

vs Smart (MCC) average+17%(78% avg)

Mileage Analysis

63,464

Average miles

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2001 Smart (MCC) Cabriolet had 63,464 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, 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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2011 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 85%, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 71%. The 2001 scores 95%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Smart (MCC) Cabriolet by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2012	76%	75	68,707 mi
2011	85%	137	57,867 mi
2010	86%	99	56,300 mi
2009	78%	130	69,224 mi
2008	76%	139	72,791 mi
2007	74%	95	69,643 mi
2006	79%	112	63,346 mi
2005	74%	152	70,089 mi
2004	73%	202	82,853 mi
2003	71%	316	70,829 mi
2002	74%	122	75,752 mi
2001	95%	40	63,464 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Nissan Micra

2003 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

70%

-25%

Vauxhall Corsa

2003 · 973cc Petrol

£1,950/year

67%

-28%

Volkswagen Polo

2000 · 1000cc Petrol

£1,960/year

71%

-24%

Vauxhall Agila

2003 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

74%

-21%

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About the 2001 Smart (MCC) Cabriolet

The 2001 Smart (MCC) Cabriolet is a city car. Our records list a 698cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 40 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 3% of all 2001 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 63,464 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Smart (MCC) Cabriolet 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.

2001 Smart (MCC) Cabriolet 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 2001 Smart (MCC) Cabriolet?

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 95% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Smart (MCC) Cabriolet Reliability Trend

Newer Smart (MCC) Cabriolets pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 7 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2001 Smart (MCC) Cabriolet

At 25 years old, the Smart (MCC) Cabriolet 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 2011 model has the highest pass rate at 85%. Note: with only 40 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 2001 Smart (MCC) Cabriolet 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 (MCC) Cabriolet(2001)	95%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,450
Nissan Micra(2003)	70%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750+£300
Vauxhall Corsa(2003)	67%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,950+£500
Volkswagen Polo(2000)	71%	£1,175	£230	Grp 1-8	£1,960+£510
Vauxhall Agila(2003)	74%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750+£300

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 2001 Smart (MCC) Cabriolet

Is the 2001 Smart (MCC) Cabriolet reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 95% of MOT tests on 2001 Smart (MCC) Cabriolets ended in a pass, from 40 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2001 Smart (MCC) Cabriolet 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 2001 Smart (MCC) Cabriolet?

95% of 40 MOT tests on the 2001 Smart (MCC) Cabriolet ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 8th of 350 models first registered in 2001 (top 3%).

Which year Smart (MCC) Cabriolet has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2011 Smart (MCC) Cabriolet has the highest MOT pass rate at 85% and the 2003 the lowest at 71%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2001 Smart (MCC) Cabriolet?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2001 Smart (MCC) Cabriolet is 63,464 miles, 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.