Does the DS 3 fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The DS 3 records 13.73 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 10.13 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+3.60, 95% interval +3.51 to +3.69). It ranks 148 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a DS 3 by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the DS 3 is “A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened”, recorded 52,675 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 52,675 | 8.33 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 20,487 | 3.24 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 3,481 | 0.55 |
| A wheel bearing excessively rough | 2,156 | 0.34 |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 2,142 | 0.34 |
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 suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
20.3% of DS 3 MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 6,004 miles later (42,438 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 42,438 (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 steering failures · DS 3 tyres failures · DS 3 visibility failures