Does the Smart Roadster fail the MOT on lamps, reflectors and electrics more than it should?
The Smart Roadster records 31.97 lamps, reflectors and electrics failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 39.33 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−7.36, 95% interval −8.99 to −5.73). It ranks 569 of 729 models on lamps, reflectors and electrics (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on lamps, reflectors and electrics · check a Smart Roadster by registration
What exactly fails on lamps, reflectors and electrics?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Smart Roadster is “A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources”, recorded 313 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 313 | 5.49 |
| Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements | 302 | 5.30 |
| Audible warning inoperative | 170 | 2.98 |
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 167 | 2.93 |
| Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 145 | 2.54 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 5,699 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Smart Roadster 2005 · Smart Roadster 2006 · Smart Roadster by postcode area · Smart Roadster body, chassis and structure failures · Smart Roadster brakes failures · Smart Roadster noise, emissions and leaks failures · Smart Roadster seat belts and airbags failures · Smart Roadster steering failures · Smart Roadster suspension failures · Smart Roadster tyres failures · Smart Roadster visibility failures