DS DS3: what fails at MOT
45,000 MOT tests on the DS DS3 in 2024, counted. 29.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
29.7% of DS DS3 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 19.4%, so the DS3 does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (7.2% of tests), body and structure (5.9% of tests) and suspension (4.7% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, body and structure and suspension 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,097 | 14.7% | 10.9% | 20,900 15,200 to 29,700 |
| 2020 | 1,556 | 16.4% | 11.5% | 26,200 19,000 to 35,300 |
| 2019 | 3,907 | 16.0% | 13.4% | 31,800 23,700 to 41,700 |
| 2018 | 4,650 | 24.1% | 15.6% | 38,200 27,400 to 51,900 |
| 2017 | 9,583 | 27.4% | 18.2% | 44,600 32,500 to 58,200 |
| 2016 | 15,795 | 33.1% | 21.3% | 53,900 40,700 to 69,900 |
| 2015 | 8,715 | 39.2% | 24.4% | 61,200 46,900 to 77,800 |
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 DS 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 | 7.2% | 3.9% | More than most |
| Body and structure | 5.9% | 0.9% | More than most |
| Suspension | 4.7% | 3.1% | More than most |
| Tyres | 4.5% | 3.9% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 4.0% | 2.2% | More than most |
| Brakes | 3.3% | 2.8% | |
| Steering | 1.4% | 0.7% | More than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.1% | 1.2% |
The parts that fail most
- Driveshaft joint4.7%
- Coil spring3.0%
- Seat belt2.7%
- Headlamp aim2.5%
- Side light2.2%
- Headlamp2.1%
- Wipers2.1%
- Washers2.0%
- Tyre tread1.9%
- Brake discs1.4%
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 dirt4.6%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken3.0%
- Side light: not working2.2%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.1%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.0%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.3%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.2%
- Washers: not working1.0%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.0%
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 edge11.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened10.4%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.7%
- Exhaust system: mounting defective4.6%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.5%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively3.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement3.1%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.5%
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?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a DS 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.