2005 Smart City Cabriolet 0.7L Petrol · FP55 HBU

The 2005 Smart City Cabriolet passed its most recent MOT on 13 May 2023 at 56,353 miles, but the maintenance trend over the preceding three years is mixed rather than clearly improving. That 2023 pass came with advisories for corroded front brake pipework and pitted front brake discs, both of which had already appeared in the January 2022 test. The January 2022 failure was more serious: a leaking nearside rear brake cylinder, critically low brake fluid, an illuminated brake warning lamp, and a failed emissions Lambda reading. These were rectified for a pass five days later, yet the front brake disc corrosion and wear pattern has persisted across three consecutive annual tests. This suggests the braking system has been managed reactively rather than proactively, with surface-level disc issues left to recur rather than being properly resolved with pipework renewal or caliper inspection. The mileage profile is notably low for a 21-year-old vehicle. At 56,353 miles, the annualised average is roughly 2,683 miles per year. The record shows a jump from 40,944 miles in December 2020 to 49,606 miles by January 2022, an accumulation of approximately 8,662 miles in just over 13 months, followed by a further 6,747 miles to the May 2023 test. This indicates a period of more regular use after a quieter spell, though the overall figure remains well below the UK average. The sparse testing history, with no recorded MOT between 2023 and the current date of June 2026, raises questions about whether the car has been in continuous use, stored, or driven without a valid certificate for an extended period. A buyer should focus their physical inspection on the front braking system first. The repeated advisories for pitted and scored front brake discs, combined with the corroded offside front brake pipe flagged in 2023, point to a system that has suffered from moisture ingress and inadequate fluid maintenance. The 2022 failure for a leaking rear brake cylinder and dangerously low fluid level reinforces this concern. Have the entire braking system inspected, including pipework, calipers, and fluid condition. The fractured nearside front coil spring identified in the December 2020 failure was reportedly fixed, but a thorough check of both front springs and suspension bushes is warranted, particularly given the car's age and the possibility of long-term storage causing rubber deterioration. The minor exhaust leak and slight offside front wheel bearing play noted in 2020 were advisory items that may have worsened without recent testing to confirm their status. Given the three-year gap since the last MOT, a fresh inspection is strongly recommended before any purchase.