DS 3 MOT pass rate and common problems
DS 3s fail their MOT more often than other cars of the same age.
- Failed at the first attempt
- 43.0%failed at the first attempt in 2024
Average for cars of the same age: 29.4%
Data: DVSA MOT results · 2024 · 105,294 tests
DS 3 common problems: what should I check before buying?
The faults recorded most often at DS 3 MOTs in 2019–2024, per 100 tests.
- Broken or weakened suspension spring8.33Major
What to check: Look behind each wheel at the coil springs for a snapped end, and check the car sits level from side to side.
- Driveshaft boot split or missing7.97Major
What to check: Check the boot was replaced, then drive slowly on full lock both ways: a clicking noise means the joint itself is worn.
- Tyre tread below the legal limit4.91Dangerous
What to check: Check the tread across every tyre with a gauge; wear on one edge points to a tracking fault.
- One number plate light out4.50Minor
What to check: Check every number plate light works with the sidelights on; a single dead bulb or LED is a cheap fix.
- Exhaust leaking or loose3.95Major
What to check: Listen under the car with the engine running for blowing or rattling, and look for black soot marks around the exhaust joints.
One test can record several defects, so this is not the share of DS 3s.
Each tip applies only if the car you are looking at has that fault in its own MOT history.
Check a DS 3 by registration
Which DS 3 years should I avoid?
2012 is the DS 3 year that fails its MOT most for its age; 2019 fails least.
Fails more for its age: 2012.
Fails less for its age: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019.
Years without published figures
- 2024, 2025, 2026
These registration years do not need an MOT yet. Ask the seller for the service history.
- 2021, 2022, 2023
Our figures end in 2024, before these cars had enough MOTs to compare.
Year means the year the car was first registered, as DVSA records it. It may differ from the year it was built.
How does the DS 3 compare with similar cars?
All 8 similar models fail less often for their age than the DS 3.
This is a different comparison from the one at the top. There, the DS 3 is measured against all cars of the same age. Here, it sits among similar models. Both can be true.
| Model | MOT Risk Index |
|---|---|
| DS 3 | 146.1 |
| Renault Clio | 136.1 |
| Vauxhall Mokka | 126.3 |
| SEAT Ibiza | 120.6 |
| Peugeot 208 | 119.5 |
| Nissan Juke | 120.3 |
| Fiat 500 | 113.7 |
| Nissan Qashqai | 118.2 |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 118.7 |
How do DS 3s hold up as they get older?
First-time MOT failures on DS 3s go from 16.6% at age 3 to 50.3% at age 14.
| Age at MOT (years) | DS 3 failed (%) | All cars failed (%) | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 16.6 | 12.4 | 701 |
| 11 | 47.9 | 33.2 | 17,934 |
| 12 | 51 | 35.7 | 14,357 |
| 13 | 50 | 38.2 | 9,053 |
| 14 | 50.3 | 40.4 | 3,900 |
Do advisories on DS 3s turn into fails at the next MOT?
25.9% of lights and electrical advisories on DS 3s turned into lights and electrical fails at the next MOT.
The next MOT came about 12 months later.
Based on 7,006 advisories, each followed to the car's next MOT, 2019–2024. This counts advisories, not cars.
The most common advisories on DS 3s are for brakes: 46.80 per 100 tests.
| Advisory | Failed next time (%) | Advisories followed |
|---|---|---|
| lamps, reflectors and electrics | 25.9 | 7,006 |
| steering | 22.5 | 13,476 |
| suspension | 20.3 | 42,438 |
| body, chassis and structure | 18.2 | 54,220 |
| visibility | 11.5 | 628 |
What else should I know about a used DS 3?
- MOT pass rate, 2024
- 43.0% failed at the first attempt; after repairs at the test centre, 65.3% passed in the end.
- MOT tests counted
- 105,294 first tests in 2024; retests are left out
- Years first registered
- 2010 to 2020
- Fuel
- Petrol 57.2%, diesel 42.8%
- ULEZ
- 65.8% likely to meet it, judged from fuel and registration date
- Typical mileage at 8 years old
- 53,125 miles
DS 3 common problems: what actually fails the MOT?
DS 3 MOTs fail most often on ‘lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment’: 19.6 per 100 tests, against 11.0 for UK cars of the same age (2019–2024, n = 632,064).
| Measure | Value (per 100) | Comparison (per 100) | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 19.6 | 11.0 | 123,712 |
| Body, chassis, structure | 15.2 | 2.7 | 95,810 |
| Suspension | 13.7 | 10.1 | 86,784 |
| Tyres | 11.1 | 8.6 | 69,886 |
| Brakes | 10 | 8.0 | 63,308 |
What is likely to fail next on a used DS 3?
For DS 3s aged 6 to 8 whose last MOT was a fail, the item most likely to fail at the next MOT is ‘body, chassis, structure’: 19.2% failed on it (2019–2024, n = 91,574).
| Measure | Value (% next fail) |
|---|---|
| Body, chassis, structure, 6 to 8 years old, after a fail | 19.2 |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, 6 to 8 years old, after a fail | 18.9 |
| Suspension, 6 to 8 years old, after a fail | 16.4 |
| Tyres, 6 to 8 years old, after a fail | 10.3 |
| Visibility, 6 to 8 years old, after a fail | 8.8 |
How often do DS 3s get a dangerous MOT defect?
The DS 3 gets a dangerous defect more often than the UK average: 13.4 per 100 first tests against 11.2 across the UK. A dangerous defect means the vehicle should not be driven away until it is fixed. In the same tests, 62.7 major and 11.5 minor defects were recorded per 100 tests (one test can record several).
Severity was not recorded for some 2018–2021 tests.
| Measure | Value (per 100) | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Dangerous defects | 13.4 | 632,064 |
Comparison: 11.2 per 100.
How much do DS 3 MOT repairs cost?
Expected repair cost per DS 3 MOT: about £77 (up to about £146 if more expensive parts are needed), from the chance of failing each item and its most common UK repair price (catalogue estimate, n = 105,294).
Computed, not measured.
| Measure | Value | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Expected repair bill | 77.1 GBP estimate | modal price catalogue |
| Estimated range lower | 77.1 GBP estimate | modal price catalogue |
| Estimated range upper | 146.5 GBP estimate | modal price catalogue |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: Battery replacement (standard 12V lead-acid) | 27.4 GBP expected contribution | 140 |
| Suspension: Suspension coil spring (single corner) | 24.7 GBP expected contribution | 180 |
What mileage is normal for a used DS 3?
At age 8, the median DS 3 had covered 53,125 miles by its MOT; the middle half ranged from 40,196 to 68,288 miles (2024, n = 11,806).
| Measure | Value (miles) | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Age 3 median | 20896 | 701 |
| Age 3 P25 | 15177 | 701 |
| Age 3 P75 | 28737 | 701 |
| Age 4 median | 26990 | 1,212 |
| Age 4 P25 | 19527 | 1,212 |
Do high-mileage DS 3s fail their MOT more often?
At ages 10–14, 30.1% of DS 3s with under 40,000 miles failed first time, against 54.6% of those with over 140,000 miles (2024, n = 6,239). Inside this age group, higher mileage goes with more failures.
| Measure | Value (% failed first time) | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Age 3–5, <40k miles | 17.3 | 3,407 |
| Age 3–5, 40-70k miles | 20 | 983 |
| Age 6–9, <40k miles | 25.4 | 10,124 |
| Age 6–9, 40-70k miles | 37.8 | 18,322 |
| Age 6–9, 70-100k miles | 46.2 | 7,164 |
How many miles do DS 3s last?
9.0% of DS 3s tested had reached 100,000 miles, and 0.7% had reached 150,000 (2024, n = 56,953).
| Measure | Value (% of tested cars) | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| 100,000 miles | 9.0 | 56,953 |
| 150,000 miles | 0.7 | 4,113 |
| 200,000 miles (rough estimate: 314 tests, 95% interval 0.0–0.1%) | 0.1 | 314 |
Does mileage, as well as age, change the DS 3 failure index?
Matched on annual mileage as well as age, the DS 3 index is 152.4, against 148.7 on age alone (2019–2024, n = 105,294).
| Measure | Value (index) | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Age and mileage adjusted index | 152.4 | 105,294 |
Comparison: 148.7 index.
Which DS 3 fuel type fails its MOT less?
Diesel DS 3s fail first time more often than petrol ones, before allowing for age: 48.9% against 38.5%.
| Measure | Value (% fail first time) | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 48.9 | 45,106 |
| Petrol | 38.5 | 60,185 |
Comparison: other fuels.
Which DS 3 engine fails its MOT least?
Among engines with enough tests, the best DS 3 engine is the petrol 1.0–1.2 litre at index 86.7, and the worst the diesel 1.5–1.8 litre at 111.1, where 100 = the model's own average (2024, n = 105,294).
| Measure | Value (index vs model norm) | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol 1.0–1.2 litre | 86.7 | 151,673 |
| Petrol 1.5–1.8 litre | 92.1 | 193,665 |
| Petrol 1.2–1.5 litre | 99.1 | 5,456 |
| Diesel 1.5–1.8 litre | 111.1 | 281,105 |
Comparison: 100 = model average.
Where in Britain does the DS 3 fail its MOT most?
DS 3 fails first-time MOTs most in Kirkcaldy (KY): 51.3% against 38.4% across Britain for this model, both 2019–2024 (2019–2024, n = 4,061).
| Measure | Value (% fail first time) | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Kirkcaldy (KY) | 51.3 | 4,061 |
| Dundee (DD) | 49.7 | 2,674 |
| Aberdeen (AB) | 48.6 | 4,408 |
| Twickenham (TW) | 25.3 | 1,943 |
| London E (E) | 26.1 | 1,359 |
Across Britain for this model: 38.4% failed first time, also in 2019–2024.
Does the DS 3 have rust problems?
Allowing for age, DS 3 MOTs record corrosion failures at 0.4 times the national rate: 0.3% of tests against 0.77% (2024 + geographic layers, n = 105,227).
Computed, not measured.
| Measure | Value (ratio estimate) | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Salt belt susceptibility | 0.4 | 105,227 |
Comparison: 1 ratio estimate.
What do six years of MOTs show about owning a used DS 3?
Of failed DS 3 MOTs, 50.8% were retested the same day and a further 47.4% within 10 days; the median failed car passed its retest after 0 days (2019–2024, n = 180,538).
| Measure | Value | Comparison | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same-day retest | 50.8 % | failed initial tests | 180,538 |
| Retest within 10 days | 47.4 % | failed initial tests | 180,538 |
| Clean MOT streak | 31.0 % | observed chains | 108,518 |
| Repeat advisory | 39.5 % | observed chains | 108,518 |
| Decreasing odometer | 1.5 % mileage anomaly | observed chains | 111,094 |
Is low mileage good for a used DS 3?
DS 3s aged 5 to 14 doing under 5,000 miles a year failed first time in 28.9% of tests, against 46.1% for those doing 8,000 to 12,000 miles (2019–2024, n = 105,498).
| Measure | Value | Comparison | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low-use first-time failure | 28.9 % | 46.1 | 105,498 |
| Low-use gap | -17.2 percentage points | 8–12k miles | 105,498 |
How many years do DS 3s last?
DS 3s aged 10 are forecast to keep taking MOTs for at least 2.1 more years; the survival curve is observed only until age 14, so the true figure is likely higher.
Computed, not measured.
Forecast, not a prediction for a particular car.
| Measure | Value (years forecast) |
|---|---|
| Age 5 | 7.1 |
| Age 8 | 4.1 |
| Age 10 (at least; observed only until age 14) | 2.1 |
| Age 12 (at least; observed only until age 14) | 1.1 |
How many DS 3s are still on the road as they age?
In 2024, for every 100 DS 3s tested at ages 4 to 6, about 7 were tested at age 14 (2024, n = 3,901).
| Measure | Value (% of age 4–6 baseline) | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Age 3 | 49.4 | 29,490 |
| Age 4 | 70.8 | 42,282 |
| Age 5 (at least as many as at ages 4–6) | 100 | 60,171 |
| Age 6 (at least as many as at ages 4–6) | 100 | 76,611 |
| Age 7 (at least as many as at ages 4–6) | 100 | 88,773 |
If a used DS 3 fails its MOT, will it fail the next one?
43.4% of DS 3s that failed an MOT failed the next one too, against 34.4% after a pass (2019–2024, n = 48,747). The failure most likely to come back is ‘lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment’: 41.3% of those fails recurred at the next MOT.
| Measure | Value (%) | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat after fail | 43.4 | 48,747 |
Comparison: 34.4 %.
Which DS 3 faults tend to come together?
On DS 3s, road Wheels and seat belts and supplementary restraint systems failures turn up together 5.1 times as often as chance would predict (2024, n = 70).
| Measure | Value (lift) | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Road Wheels + Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems (rough estimate: 70 tests, 95% interval 4.0–6.5) | 5.1 | 70 |
| Identification of the vehicle + Road Wheels (rough estimate: 22 tests, 95% interval 3.1–7.4) | 4.9 | 22 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks + Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems (rough estimate: 343 tests, 95% interval 3.7–4.5) | 4.1 | 343 |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment + Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.6 | 1,567 |
| Identification of the vehicle + Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems (rough estimate: 21 tests, 95% interval 2.2–5.5) | 3.6 | 21 |
Comparison: expected joint rate.
How many DS 3s fail the MOT at each age?
Of every 100 DS 3s tested at age 5, about 18 failed the MOT first time; at age 10, about 46. These are one-year rates for different cars tested in the same year, not a fleet followed over time; the steepest one-year step in this cross-section is between cars aged 8 and 9, 7.6 percentage points (2024).
| Measure | Value (% fail first time) | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Age 3 (rough estimate: 701 tests, 95% interval 14.0–19.5%) | 16.6 | 701 |
| Age 4 (rough estimate: 1,212 tests, 95% interval 16.6–20.9%) | 18.6 | 1,212 |
| Age 5 | 18.2 | 2,522 |
| Age 6 | 25.2 | 3,475 |
| Age 7 | 30.4 | 7,315 |
Do DS 3s fail their MOT more in some months?
DS 3s fail first time most in November (40.3%, against 30.6% for all cars that month) and least in March (36.0%) (2024, n = 105,294).
| Measure | Value (% fail first time) | Comparison (% fail first time) | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39.6 | 31.1 | 55,064 |
| February | 38.1 | 30.0 | 52,849 |
| March | 36.0 | 28.3 | 67,232 |
| April | 38.4 | 29.8 | 34,805 |
| May | 37.4 | 28.8 | 40,055 |
What DVSA defect categories mean
- Dangerous: the car should not be driven until it is repaired.
- Major: the car fails the MOT.
- Minor: recorded, but the car still passes.
- Advisory: noted by the tester to keep an eye on; the car still passes.
How are these figures calculated?
We count first MOT tests only; retests after repairs are left out. Each model is compared with cars of the same age.
Which DS 3 figures are missing, and why?
There are no matching records for the DS 3.
- Has the DS 3 had any recalls?
We have not worked this out for the DS 3 yet.
- What have dealers been told about the DS 3? (US market)
- What do owners complain about? (US market)
- Real-world MPG against the official figure (manufacturer level)
Cite this page or report an error
How to cite this page
MOT Risk Index (2026). DS 3 MOT statistics 2024 (data release dvsa-2024-v2; full dataset motriskindex-families-2024-v5, DOI 10.5281/zenodo.22975051), updated 24 September 2026. motriskindex.co.uk/cars/ds3/
How the MOT Risk Index and every figure on this page are calculated: methodology.
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What is wrong on this page? One tap sends the category only, no text and nothing about you.
More on the DS 3
- Overview:
- Model overview · All DS models
- What fails:
- body · brakes · plates · lights · emissions · wheels · seat belts · steering · suspension · tyres · visibility
- Abroad:
- Finland · the Netherlands
- By area:
- Postcode areas
- Compare:
- Renault Clio