Used car guide

2005 Smart (mcc) City Coupe: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Smart (mcc) City Coupes, from 313 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 313 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

313MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
3,500typical miles a year
2.9×the usual rate for washers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Smart (mcc) City Coupes than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Washers2.9× usual
    Smart (mcc) City Coupe
    11.2% All 2005 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.2%, against 3.8% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

By area

The share of 2005 Smart (mcc) City Coupe MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    37% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    34% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    32% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    17% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    16% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009129Suspension 35%
2007406Suspension 38%
2006505Suspension 42%
2004548Lights and electrics 36%
2003740Suspension 39%
2002517Lights and electrics 38%
2001152Brakes 33%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Smart (mcc) City Coupes registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score