CarCostCheck

SMART (MCC) CITY CABRIOLET (2005)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 252 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,530

£128/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£20

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

599cc Petrol

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £1530/year to run. 11 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.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Petrol599cc21 years old252 tests67k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 599cc)

~50 mpg

£955
Road Tax

Based on 599cc

£20
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£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.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this SMART (MCC) CITY CABRIOLET

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

71% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the SMART (MCC) brand average of 78%.

At 21 years old, 71% of SMART (MCC) CITY CABRIOLETs from 2005 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 252 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 66,950 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.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2005 cars347th of 526(top 66%)
Rank among SMART (MCC) models72th of 83(top 87%)
vs national average-11%(82% avg)
vs 2005 cars average-1%(72% avg)
vs SMART (MCC) average-7%(78% avg)

Mileage Analysis

66,950

Average miles

vs

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2005 SMART (MCC) CITY CABRIOLET has 66,950 miles on the clock, 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.

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.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

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 2005 sits between the two at 71%.

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

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.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2005 SMART (MCC) CITY CABRIOLET

The 2005 SMART (MCC) CITY CABRIOLET is a city car with a 599cc petrol engine. 252 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2005, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 66,950 miles at 21 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.

2005 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 2005 SMART (MCC) CITY 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 71% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2005 SMART (MCC) CITY CABRIOLET

At 21 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

Based on the 2005 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.

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 2005 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(2005)71%£955£20Grp 1-8£1530
NISSAN MICRA(2005)72%£955£30Grp 1-8£1540+£10
PEUGEOT 107(2007)71%£955£30Grp 1-8£1540+£10
TOYOTA AYGO(2007)70%£955£30Grp 1-8£1540+£10
VAUXHALL CORSA(2004)68%£955£30Grp 1-8£1740+£210

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) City cabriolet.

Check a specific SMART (MCC) CITY CABRIOLET

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a SMART (MCC) CITY CABRIOLET? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB