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SMART (MCC) CITY CABRIOLET (2001)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 44 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,230

£103/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£20

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

599cc Petrol

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £1230/year to run. 9 points above average.

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Petrol599cc25 years old44 tests83k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 599cc)

~50 mpg

£955
Road Tax

Based on 599cc

£20
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200
Total per year£1,230
Per month£103/mo
Per week£24/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

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the SMART (MCC) brand average of 78%.

At 25 years old, 91% of SMART (MCC) CITY CABRIOLETs from 2001 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 44 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 83,147 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2001 cars21th of 362(top 6%)
Rank among SMART (MCC) models4th of 83(top 5%)
vs national average+9%(82% avg)
vs 2001 cars average+18%(73% avg)
vs SMART (MCC) average+13%(78% avg)

Mileage Analysis

83,147

Average miles

vs

185,000

Expected for age

The average 2001 SMART (MCC) CITY CABRIOLET has 83,147 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-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 2006 model with a 75% MOT pass rate, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 69%. The 2001 sits between the two at 91%.

SMART (MCC) CITY CABRIOLET by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200774%5768,604 mi
200675%20466,463 mi
200571%25266,950 mi
200474%29968,778 mi
200369%22967,412 mi
200270%22368,988 mi
200191%4483,147 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2001 SMART (MCC) CITY CABRIOLET

The 2001 SMART (MCC) CITY CABRIOLET is a city car with a 599cc petrol engine. 44 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 6% of all 2001 cars for reliability.

With an average of 83,147 miles at 25 years old, SMART (MCC) CITY 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) CITY CABRIOLET Fuel Costs

The modest 599cc 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 2001 SMART (MCC) CITY CABRIOLET?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,230 103/month), broken down as £955 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.

SMART (MCC) CITY CABRIOLET Reliability Trend

The SMART (MCC) CITY CABRIOLET has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2001 SMART (MCC) CITY CABRIOLET

At 25 years old, the SMART (MCC) CITY 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 2006 model has the highest pass rate at 75%. Note: with only 44 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2001 SMART (MCC) CITY 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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 83k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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) CITY CABRIOLET stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SMART (MCC) CITY CABRIOLET(2001)91%£955£20Grp 1-8£1230
NISSAN MICRA(2003)70%£955£30Grp 1-8£1540+£310
VAUXHALL CORSA(2003)67%£955£30Grp 1-8£1740+£510
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2000)71%£955£30Grp 1-8£1540+£310
VAUXHALL AGILA(2003)74%£955£30Grp 1-8£1540+£310

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.

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