Smart (MCC) Roadster (2003)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 125 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,600

£133/month

MOT Pass Rate

84%

Good

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

698cc Petrol

Solid Option

84% pass rate, £1,600/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Petrol698cc23 years old125 tests79k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 698cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£20

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,600

Per month£133/mo

Per week£31/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

84% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Smart (MCC) brand average of 78%.

84% of MOT tests on Smart (MCC) Roadsters from 2003 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 21 years old. That's based on 125 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 79,466 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 models63rd of 429(top 15%)

Rank among Smart (MCC) models20th of 83(top 25%)

vs average of all models+2%(82% avg)

vs 2003 models average+12%(72% avg)

vs Smart (MCC) average+6%(78% avg)

Mileage Analysis

79,466

Average miles

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2003 Smart (MCC) Roadster had 79,466 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2006 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 85%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 76%. The 2003 scores 84%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Smart (MCC) Roadster by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2006	85%	228	66,130 mi
2005	81%	532	78,700 mi
2004	76%	515	79,297 mi
2003	84%	125	79,466 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Nissan Micra

2005 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

72%

-12%

Vauxhall Corsa

2004 · 998cc Petrol

£1,950/year

68%

-16%

Kia Picanto

2005 · 999cc Petrol

£1,950/year

66%

-18%

Peugeot 107

2005 · 998cc Petrol

£1,950/year

69%

-15%

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About the 2003 Smart (MCC) Roadster

The 2003 Smart (MCC) Roadster is a city car. Our records list a 698cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 125 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 15% of all 2003 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 79,466 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Smart (MCC) Roadster owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

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 £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 2003 Smart (MCC) Roadster?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,600 (£133/month), broken down as £1,175 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

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 2003 Smart (MCC) Roadster 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) Roadster(2003)	84%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600
Nissan Micra(2005)	72%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750+£150
Vauxhall Corsa(2004)	68%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,950+£350
Kia Picanto(2005)	66%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,950+£350
Peugeot 107(2005)	69%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,950+£350

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 2003 Smart (MCC) Roadster

Is the 2003 Smart (MCC) Roadster reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 84% of MOT tests on 2003 Smart (MCC) Roadsters ended in a pass, from 125 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 2 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2003 Smart (MCC) Roadster cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,600 a year (£133 a month): £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Smart (MCC) Roadster?

84% of 125 MOT tests on the 2003 Smart (MCC) Roadster ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 63rd of 429 models first registered in 2003 (top 15%).

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

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2006 Smart (MCC) Roadster has the highest MOT pass rate at 85% and the 2004 the lowest at 76%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2003 Smart (MCC) Roadster?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2003 Smart (MCC) Roadster is 79,466 miles, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.