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SMART (MCC) CABRIOLET (2012)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 75 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,530

£128/month

MOT Pass Rate

76%

Average

Road Tax

£20

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

698cc Petrol

Check Carefully

76% pass rate, £1530/year to run. 6 points below average.

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Petrol698cc14 years old75 tests69k 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

76% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%.

At 14 years old, 76% of SMART (MCC) CABRIOLETs from 2012 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 75 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 68,707 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 cars534th of 685(top 78%)
Rank among SMART (MCC) models47th of 83(top 57%)
vs national average-6%(82% avg)
vs 2012 cars average-2%(78% avg)
vs SMART (MCC) average-2%(78% avg)

Mileage Analysis

68,707

Average miles

vs

103,600

Expected for age

The average 2012 SMART (MCC) CABRIOLET has 68,707 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 103,600 miles for a 14-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2010 model with a 86% MOT pass rate, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 71%. The 2012 sits between the two at 76%.

SMART (MCC) CABRIOLET by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201276%7568,707 mi
201185%13757,867 mi
201086%9956,300 mi
200978%13069,224 mi
200876%13972,791 mi
200774%9569,643 mi
200679%11263,346 mi
200574%15270,089 mi
200473%20282,853 mi
200371%31670,829 mi
200274%12275,752 mi
200195%4063,464 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2012 SMART (MCC) CABRIOLET

The 2012 SMART (MCC) CABRIOLET is a city car with a 698cc petrol engine. 75 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 78% of 2012 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 68,707 miles at 14 years old, SMART (MCC) CABRIOLET owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 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 £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 2012 SMART (MCC) CABRIOLET?

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 76% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

SMART (MCC) CABRIOLET Reliability Trend

Newer SMART (MCC) CABRIOLETs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 5 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2012 SMART (MCC) CABRIOLET

At 14 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 2010 model has the highest pass rate at 86%. Note: with only 75 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2012 SMART (MCC) CABRIOLET'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 2012 SMART (MCC) CABRIOLET stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SMART (MCC) CABRIOLET(2012)76%£955£20Grp 1-8£1530
FORD FIESTA(2014)79%£955£30Grp 1-8£1540+£10
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2011)75%£955£30Grp 5-15£1540+£10
PEUGEOT 208(2013)75%£955£30Grp 1-8£1540+£10
RENAULT CLIO(2014)72%£955£30Grp 1-8£1540+£10

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 (mcc) Models

Explore other Smart (mcc) cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Smart (mcc) Cabriolet.

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