Small car · 2012–2021 cars
DS3 reliability
The DS3 fails 29.1% of first MOT tests, 59% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 106,793 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a DS3 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 29.1%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 59% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 106,793
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,300
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the DS3 ages
Each point is the share of DS3s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | DS3 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 16% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 20.1% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 25% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 29.6% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 33.4% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 37.7% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 41.5% | 28.8% |
By year
The best and worst DS3 years
2019 cars come out best and 2015 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 307 | 18.6% | 72% more fails | 21,384 |
| 2020 DS3 | 1,917 | 16.9% | 44% more fails | 25,445 |
| 2019 DS3 | 7,039 | 15.7% | 25% more fails | 28,308 |
| 2018 DS3 | 11,652 | 22.4% | 59% more fails | 31,459 |
| 2017 DS3 | 24,188 | 26.1% | 59% more fails | 38,026 |
| 2016 DS3 | 39,589 | 31.2% | 58% more fails | 47,416 |
| 2015 DS3 | 22,057 | 37.8% | 68% more fails | 54,869 |
Common problems
What fails most on a DS3
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 612% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics10.2%106% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure7.4%612% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.7%99% above avg
- Tyres6.6%22% above avg
- Suspension5.6%56% above avg
- Brakes4.6%29% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.4%11% above avg
- Steering1.4%109% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.3%17% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.82% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.37% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.22% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 4
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.58% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 5
Position lamp not working 2.53% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.35% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 7
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.58% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 8
Windscreen washers not working 1.47% of tests
Without working washers the windscreen cannot be cleaned while driving, which is a safety risk in dirty weather.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a DS3's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake disc pitted or scored13.52%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit12.84%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking10.5%
- Brake pads wearing thin6.02%
- Exhaust mounting defective5.7%
- Brake discs showing some wear4.17%
Before you buy
What to check on a used DS3
- 1
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 4
Dipped beam headlamp not working
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical DS3 covers about 7,300 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol69.9%
- Diesel30.1%
Most common colours
White, Black, Grey, Blue, Purple
Average engine size: 1.3 litres.
Compare
How the DS3 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| MINI Clubman | 16.1% | 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Ignis | 23.5% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Venga | 26% | 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi Colt | 44.8% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Getz | 46.2% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai ix20 | 26.9% | 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| DS3 | 29.1% | 59% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all DS models.
Questions
DS3 questions, answered
Is the DS3 reliable?
On MOT results, the DS3 is well below average: it fails 29.1% of first MOT tests, 59% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 61 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a DS3 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the DS3 are cv joint boot split or insecure (4.82% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.37% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (3.22% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 10.2% of its tests.
Which DS3 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2019 cars do best (25% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2015 cars do worst (68% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a DS3 do a year?
A typical DS3 covers about 7,300 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a DS3 before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
Found a DS3? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.