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SMART (MCC) FORTWO CABRIOLET (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 69 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

698cc Petrol

Check Carefully

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

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Petrol698cc23 years old69 tests69k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 698cc)

~50 mpg

£955
Road Tax

Based on 698cc

£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.

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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 23 years old, 71% of SMART (MCC) FORTWO CABRIOLETs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 69 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 68,773 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars282th of 445(top 63%)
Rank among SMART (MCC) models74th of 83(top 89%)
vs national average-11%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average-1%(72% avg)
vs SMART (MCC) average-7%(78% avg)

Mileage Analysis

68,773

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 SMART (MCC) FORTWO CABRIOLET has 68,773 miles on the clock, 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?

The most reliable year is the 2012 model with a 83% MOT pass rate, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 71%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

SMART (MCC) FORTWO CABRIOLET by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201283%65352,734 mi
201182%1,23659,180 mi
201080%1,40067,486 mi
200979%1,61564,751 mi
200877%1,55667,880 mi
200780%40570,518 mi
200672%31167,089 mi
200574%34266,610 mi
200475%19571,625 mi
200371%6968,773 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2003 SMART (MCC) FORTWO CABRIOLET

The 2003 SMART (MCC) FORTWO CABRIOLET is a city car with a 698cc petrol engine. 69 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 68,773 miles at 23 years old, SMART (MCC) FORTWO 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.

2003 SMART (MCC) FORTWO 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 2003 SMART (MCC) FORTWO 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) FORTWO CABRIOLET Reliability Trend

Newer SMART (MCC) FORTWO CABRIOLETs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2003 SMART (MCC) FORTWO CABRIOLET

At 23 years old, the SMART (MCC) FORTWO 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. Note: with only 69 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 SMART (MCC) FORTWO 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 2003 SMART (MCC) FORTWO CABRIOLET stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SMART (MCC) FORTWO CABRIOLET(2003)71%£955£20Grp 1-8£1530
NISSAN MICRA(2005)72%£955£30Grp 1-8£1540+£10
VAUXHALL CORSA(2004)68%£955£30Grp 1-8£1740+£210
KIA PICANTO(2005)66%£955£30Grp 1-8£1740+£210
PEUGEOT 107(2005)69%£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) Fortwo cabriolet.

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