2005 Smart Roadster 80 Auto(rhd) 0.7L Petrol · PF54 XSX

This Smart Roadster presents a mixed picture. The most recent MOT, conducted on 9 October 2025 at 99,480 miles, resulted in a pass, but only after a failure the previous day. The 8 October 2025 failure flagged excessively worn nearside front suspension arm ball joints and both front tyres below the 1.6mm legal limit, alongside a corroded nearside front brake pipe. These were rectified before the pass, suggesting reactive rather than preventative maintenance. The trend is not clearly stable or improving; it shows a pattern of corrosion-related advisories and component wear that keeps resurfacing, with the vehicle passing only after failures are addressed at the test stage. The mileage pattern is notably low for a 20-year-old vehicle, averaging roughly 4,737 miles per year. Between the December 2023 test at 95,391 miles and the November 2024 test at 97,281 miles, only 1,890 miles were added over nearly eleven months. From November 2024 to October 2025, the odometer moved just 2,197 miles. This low annual use points to extended periods of standing, which can accelerate corrosion on brake lines, suspension components, and tyres due to lack of regular heat cycles and movement. The sparse but consistent test record shows no gaps in MOT coverage, which is a positive indicator of legal compliance, but the low mileage does not eliminate age-related deterioration. Buyers should focus their inspection on the front suspension and braking system. The November 2024 failure identified corroded and seriously weakened lower suspension arm mounting bushes on both sides, corroded coil springs, and rough front and rear wheel bearings. Although the October 2025 pass suggests these were addressed, the underlying corrosion risk remains significant on a vehicle of this age. Check the nearside front brake pipe closely, as it was flagged as corroded and contaminated with grease, a recurring issue that compromises braking integrity. Inspect all suspension bushes, ball joints, and coil springs for fresh replacements versus surface treatment, as cosmetic masking of corrosion is common. Tyre condition should also be verified, given the failure for tread depth just weeks before the pass, indicating either neglect or a deliberate deferral of replacement until test failure forced action.