Does the DS 3 fail the MOT on steering more than it should?
The DS 3 records 3.99 steering failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 1.91 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+2.08, 95% interval +2.03 to +2.13). It ranks 112 of 640 models on steering (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on steering · check a DS 3 by registration
What exactly fails on steering?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the DS 3 is “A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play”, recorded 22,824 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 22,824 | 3.61 |
| A steering ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment | 906 | 0.14 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 650 | 0.10 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 308 | 0.05 |
| Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is excessive | 92 | 0.01 |
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 steering advisory, how often does it fail next time?
22.5% of DS 3 MOTs with a steering advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 6,194 miles later (13,476 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 13,476 (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 noise, emissions and leaks failures · DS 3 road wheels failures · DS 3 seat belts and airbags failures · DS 3 suspension failures · DS 3 tyres failures · DS 3 visibility failures