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SMART (MCC) ROADSTER (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 125 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,380

£115/month

MOT Pass Rate

84%

Good

Road Tax

£20

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

698cc Petrol

Solid Option

84% pass rate, £1380/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol698cc23 years old125 tests79k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 698cc)

~50 mpg

£955
Road Tax

Based on 698cc

£20
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,380
Per month£115/mo
Per week£27/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

84% 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%. It also outperforms the SMART (MCC) brand average of 78%.

At 23 years old, 84% of SMART (MCC) ROADSTERs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 125 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 79,466 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars65th of 445(top 15%)
Rank among SMART (MCC) models20th of 83(top 24%)
vs national average+2%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average+12%(72% avg)
vs SMART (MCC) average+6%(78% avg)

Mileage Analysis

79,466

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 SMART (MCC) ROADSTER has 79,466 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 2006 model with a 85% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 76%. The 2003 sits between the two at 84%.

SMART (MCC) ROADSTER by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200685%22866,130 mi
200581%53278,700 mi
200476%51579,297 mi
200384%12579,466 mi

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About the 2003 SMART (MCC) ROADSTER

The 2003 SMART (MCC) ROADSTER is a city car with a 698cc petrol engine. 125 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 15% of all 2003 cars for reliability.

With an average of 79,466 miles at 23 years old, SMART (MCC) ROADSTER 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) ROADSTER 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) ROADSTER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,380 115/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 84% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

SMART (MCC) ROADSTER Reliability Trend

The SMART (MCC) ROADSTER has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2003 SMART (MCC) ROADSTER

At 23 years old, the SMART (MCC) ROADSTER 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 85%.

Common Issues to Watch For

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

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SMART (MCC) ROADSTER(2003)84%£955£20Grp 1-8£1380
NISSAN MICRA(2005)72%£955£30Grp 1-8£1540+£160
VAUXHALL CORSA(2004)68%£955£30Grp 1-8£1740+£360
KIA PICANTO(2005)66%£955£30Grp 1-8£1740+£360
PEUGEOT 107(2005)69%£955£30Grp 1-8£1740+£360

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

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