Smart (MCC) City Cabriolet (2004)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 299 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,750

£146/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

599cc Petrol

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £1,750/year to run. 8 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Smart (MCC) City Cabriolet

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol599cc22 years old299 tests69k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 599cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£20

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£1,750

Per month£146/mo

Per week£34/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

74% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Smart (MCC) brand average of 78%.

74% of MOT tests on Smart (MCC) City Cabriolets from 2004 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 20 years old. That's based on 299 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 68,778 miles.

Got a Smart (MCC) City Cabriolet you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 models217th of 470(top half)

Rank among Smart (MCC) models56th of 83(bottom half)

vs average of all models-8%(82% avg)

vs 2004 models average+2%(72% avg)

vs Smart (MCC) average-4%(78% avg)

Mileage Analysis

68,778

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2004 Smart (MCC) City Cabriolet had 68,778 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific Smart (MCC) City Cabriolet?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2006 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 75%, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 69%. The 2004 scores 74%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Smart (MCC) City Cabriolet by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2007	74%	57	68,604 mi
2006	75%	204	66,463 mi
2005	71%	252	66,950 mi
2004	74%	299	68,778 mi
2003	69%	229	67,412 mi
2002	70%	223	68,988 mi
2001	91%	44	83,147 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Nissan Micra

2005 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

72%

-2%

Vauxhall Corsa

2004 · 998cc Petrol

£1,950/year

68%

-6%

Peugeot 107

2006 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

70%

-4%

Toyota Aygo

2006 · 998cc Petrol

£1,950/year

69%

-5%

Check a Specific Smart (MCC) City Cabriolet

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2004 Smart (MCC) City Cabriolet

The 2004 Smart (MCC) City Cabriolet is a city car. Our records list a 599cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 299 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 2004, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 68,778 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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.

2004 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 £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 2004 Smart (MCC) City Cabriolet?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,750 (£146/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Smart (MCC) City Cabriolet Reliability Trend

Newer Smart (MCC) City Cabriolets pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 4 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2004 Smart (MCC) City Cabriolet

At 22 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%.

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 2004 Smart (MCC) City 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) City Cabriolet(2004)	74%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750
Nissan Micra(2005)	72%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750same
Vauxhall Corsa(2004)	68%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,950+£200
Peugeot 107(2006)	70%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750same
Toyota Aygo(2006)	69%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,950+£200

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 2004 Smart (MCC) City Cabriolet

Is the 2004 Smart (MCC) City Cabriolet reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 74% of MOT tests on 2004 Smart (MCC) City Cabriolets ended in a pass, from 299 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2004 Smart (MCC) City Cabriolet cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,750 a year (£146 a month): £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Smart (MCC) City Cabriolet?

74% of 299 MOT tests on the 2004 Smart (MCC) City Cabriolet ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 217th of 470 models first registered in 2004 (top half).

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

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2006 Smart (MCC) City Cabriolet has the highest MOT pass rate at 75% and the 2003 the lowest at 69%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2004 Smart (MCC) City Cabriolet?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2004 Smart (MCC) City Cabriolet is 68,778 miles, which is significantly below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.