2003 Smart City: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Smart City?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Smart City than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Washers2.7× usual
  Smart City

  10.1% All 2003 cars

  3.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.1%, against 3.8% of all 2003 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.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.8× usual
  Smart City

  8.4% All 2003 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Individual direction indicators1.8× usual
  Smart City

  5.7% All 2003 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 1.5% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Side repeaters2.4× usual
  Smart City

  4% All 2003 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

• Fuel cap8× usual
  Smart City

  2.4% All 2003 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Common 2003 Smart City MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Smart City MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Lights and electrics
  38% 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
  37% 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.

• Suspension
  36% 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.

• Tyres
  26% 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
  16% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Smart City

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the washers? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2003 Smart City as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2003 Smart City as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2003 Smart City as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?