Citroen DS3: what fails at MOT
103,000 MOT tests on the Citroen DS3 in 2024, counted. 46% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
46% of Citroen DS3 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 30.8%, so the DS3 does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (14.7% of tests), suspension (11.2% of tests) and body and structure (10.5% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, suspension and body and structure more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 319 | 33.5% | 21.3% | 54,700 44,000 to 69,400 |
| 2015 | 12,211 | 41.5% | 24.4% | 62,600 48,000 to 79,300 |
| 2014 | 25,691 | 44.3% | 27.7% | 70,600 54,600 to 89,000 |
| 2013 | 25,210 | 46.0% | 30.6% | 76,800 60,000 to 96,000 |
| 2012 | 20,555 | 49.3% | 33.4% | 84,800 67,200 to 104,800 |
| 2011 | 13,191 | 47.4% | 36.1% | 91,700 73,100 to 113,500 |
| 2010 | 5,588 | 49.5% | 38.6% | 97,200 77,000 to 117,400 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Citroen DS3 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | DS3 | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 14.7% | 8.7% | More than most |
| Suspension | 11.2% | 7.5% | More than most |
| Body and structure | 10.5% | 2.4% | More than most |
| Tyres | 6.2% | 4.7% | More than most |
| Brakes | 5.5% | 5.0% | |
| Steering | 4.8% | 1.7% | More than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 4.4% | 3.2% | More than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 3.6% | 2.2% | More than most |
The parts that fail most
- Driveshaft joint7.6%
- Coil spring6.6%
- Track rod end4.6%
- Side light4.4%
- Headlamp4.0%
- Tyre3.9%
- Headlamp aim3.8%
- Exhaust system3.3%
- Washers3.0%
- Tyre tread2.8%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt7.4%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken6.6%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.3%
- Side light: not working4.3%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam3.1%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
- Brake light: not working2.3%
- Ball joint: excessively worn2.3%
- Exhaust system: system insecure2.2%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.1%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge14.7%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened14.1%
- Exhaust system: mounting defective7.4%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing6.5%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.9%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive4.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.4%
- Coil spring: corroded4.0%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Citroen DS3's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.