CarCostCheck

SMART (MCC) ROADSTER (2004)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 515 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,530

£128/month

MOT Pass Rate

76%

Average

Road Tax

£20

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

698cc Petrol

Check Carefully

76% pass rate, £1530/year to run. 6 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific SMART (MCC) ROADSTER

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

Petrol698cc22 years old515 tests79k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 698cc)

~50 mpg

£955
Road Tax

Based on 698cc

£20
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£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) ROADSTER

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

76% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%.

At 22 years old, 76% of SMART (MCC) ROADSTERs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 515 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 79,297 miles.

Got a SMART (MCC) ROADSTER 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 2004 cars193th of 491(top 39%)
Rank among SMART (MCC) models45th of 83(top 54%)
vs national average-6%(82% avg)
vs 2004 cars average+4%(72% avg)
vs SMART (MCC) average-2%(78% avg)

Mileage Analysis

79,297

Average miles

vs

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 SMART (MCC) ROADSTER has 79,297 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-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) ROADSTER?

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 85% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 76%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

SMART (MCC) ROADSTER by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Smart (mcc) Roadster

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 2004 SMART (MCC) ROADSTER

The 2004 SMART (MCC) ROADSTER is a city car with a 698cc petrol engine. 515 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2004, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 79,297 miles at 22 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.

2004 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 2004 SMART (MCC) ROADSTER?

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 76% 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 2004 SMART (MCC) ROADSTER

At 22 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2004 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 2004 SMART (MCC) ROADSTER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SMART (MCC) ROADSTER(2004)76%£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
PEUGEOT 107(2006)70%£955£30Grp 1-8£1540+£10
TOYOTA AYGO(2006)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) Roadster.

Check a specific SMART (MCC) ROADSTER

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) ROADSTER? 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