Does the DS 3 fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The DS 3 records 3.23 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 2.18 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+1.05, 95% interval +1.00 to +1.09). It ranks 138 of 678 models on noise, emissions and leaks (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on noise, emissions and leaks · check a DS 3 by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the DS 3 is “Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction”, recorded 5,555 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 5,555 | 0.88 |
| Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 3,888 | 0.62 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 2,261 | 0.36 |
| Emissions levels exceed default limits | 1,859 | 0.29 |
| Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limit | 1,566 | 0.25 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 632,064 (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
If a DS 3 gets a noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
5.7% of DS 3 MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 5,731 miles later (19,724 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 19,724 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
DS 3 2010 · DS 3 2011 · DS 3 2012 · DS 3 2013 · DS 3 2014 · DS 3 2015 · DS 3 2016 · DS 3 2017 · DS 3 2018 · DS 3 2019 · DS 3 2020 · DS 3 in Finland · DS 3 in the Netherlands · DS 3 by postcode area · DS 3 body, chassis and structure failures · DS 3 brakes failures · DS 3 vehicle identification failures · DS 3 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · DS 3 road wheels failures · DS 3 seat belts and airbags failures · DS 3 steering failures · DS 3 suspension failures · DS 3 tyres failures · DS 3 visibility failures