CarCostCheck

SMART (MCC) FORTWO COUPE (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 261 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,330

£111/month

MOT Pass Rate

80%

Good

Road Tax

£20

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

799cc Diesel

Solid Option

80% pass rate, £1330/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel799cc23 years old261 tests79k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 799cc)

~55 mpg

£905
Road Tax

Based on 799cc

£20
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,330
Per month£111/mo
Per week£26/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

80% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 23 years old, 80% of SMART (MCC) FORTWO COUPEs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 261 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 78,856 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars101th of 445(top 23%)
Rank among SMART (MCC) models33th of 83(top 40%)
vs national average-2%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average+8%(72% avg)
vs SMART (MCC) average+2%(78% avg)

Mileage Analysis

78,856

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 SMART (MCC) FORTWO COUPE has 78,856 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 82% MOT pass rate, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 69%. The 2003 sits between the two at 80%.

SMART (MCC) FORTWO COUPE by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201687%4549,175 mi
201375%6851,042 mi
201282%2,67256,674 mi
201181%4,43564,666 mi
201078%6,94167,253 mi
200978%7,58367,856 mi
200877%6,11270,281 mi
200775%3,22470,264 mi
200673%1,36467,776 mi
200569%1,08770,726 mi
200473%89171,878 mi
200380%26178,856 mi
200271%13065,018 mi
200170%6364,807 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2003 SMART (MCC) FORTWO COUPE

The 2003 SMART (MCC) FORTWO COUPE is a city car with a 799cc diesel engine. 261 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 23% of all 2003 cars for reliability.

With an average of 78,856 miles at 23 years old, SMART (MCC) FORTWO COUPE 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 COUPE Fuel Costs

The modest 799cc diesel engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £905 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2003 SMART (MCC) FORTWO COUPE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,330 111/month), broken down as £905 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 80% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

SMART (MCC) FORTWO COUPE Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 2003 SMART (MCC) FORTWO COUPE

At 23 years old, the SMART (MCC) FORTWO COUPE 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 2012 model has the highest pass rate at 82%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 SMART (MCC) FORTWO COUPE's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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 COUPE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SMART (MCC) FORTWO COUPE(2003)80%£905£20Grp 1-8£1330
VAUXHALL CORSA(2002)68%£905£30Grp 5-15£1690+£360
VAUXHALL COMBO(2005)67%£905£30Grp 8-20£1690+£360
FIAT DOBLO(2005)68%£905£30Grp 8-20£1690+£360
SMART (MCC) CITY COUPE(2005)74%£905£30Grp 1-8£1490+£160

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 coupe.

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