Family hatchback · 2013–2018 cars
DS4 reliability
The DS4 fails 29.4% of first MOT tests, 45% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 15,650 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a DS4 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 29.4%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 45% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 15,650
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,300
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the DS4 ages
Each point is the share of DS4s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | DS4 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 16.5% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 20.6% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 25.5% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 28.4% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 32% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 34.7% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 35% | 28.8% |
By year
The best and worst DS4 years
2017 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
Common problems
What fails most on a DS4
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 574% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics8.6%50% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure8.4%574% above avg
- Tyres7.2%23% above avg
- Suspension6.4%48% above avg
- Brakes5.4%33% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.9%42% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.2%42% above avg
- Steering0.6%25% below avg
- Wheels0.2%7% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
CV joint boot split or insecure 6.03% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.73% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.65% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.75% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Registration plate lamp not working 2.54% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
- 6
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.84% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 7
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.07% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.05% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a DS4's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit17.62%
- Brake disc pitted or scored12.71%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.85%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking4.17%
- Child seat limits belt inspection2.47%
- Brake discs showing some wear2.42%
Before you buy
What to check on a used DS4
- 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
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 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 DS4 covers about 8,300 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
- Diesel80.3%
- Petrol19.7%
Most common colours
White, Grey, Black, Blue, Orange
Average engine size: 1.6 litres.
Compare
How the DS4 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Audi S3 | 17.5% | 45% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Infiniti Q30 | 14.9% | 22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen e-Golf | 12.4% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Primera | 44.3% | 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 306 | 43.7% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Matrix | 46.8% | 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| DS4 | 29.4% | 45% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all DS models.
Questions
DS4 questions, answered
Is the DS4 reliable?
On MOT results, the DS4 is well below average: it fails 29.4% of first MOT tests, 45% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 64 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a DS4 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the DS4 are cv joint boot split or insecure (6.03% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (3.73% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.65% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 8.6% of its tests.
Which DS4 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2017 cars do best (42% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (61% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a DS4 do a year?
A typical DS4 covers about 8,300 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 DS4 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.
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