Family SUV · 2000–2021 cars
DS7 reliability
The DS7 fails 15.8% of first MOT tests, 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 10,006 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a DS7 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 15.8%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 6% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 10,006
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 9,100
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the DS7 ages
Each point is the share of DS7s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | DS7 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 13% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 16.4% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 17.4% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 19.9% | 19.1% |
By year
The best and worst DS7 years
2020 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
Common problems
What fails most on a DS7
Its weak spot is suspension: 86% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres4.9%3% below avg
- Lights and electrics4%13% above avg
- Suspension2.9%86% above avg
- Brakes2.9%5% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2%39% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.1%20% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.6%25% above avg
- Number plates and VIN0.3%44% above avg
- Steering0.3%15% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.54% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.79% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 1.37% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 4
Position lamp not working 1.04% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.76% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 6
Headlamp aim set too low 0.65% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 7
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.6% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 8
Daytime running lamp not working 0.55% of tests
A failed daytime running lamp makes the car less visible to other road users, so it should be repaired.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a DS7's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit11.77%
- Brake pads wearing thin8.81%
- Brake disc pitted or scored6.44%
- Child seat limits belt inspection2.43%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking2.23%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit1.9%
Before you buy
What to check on a used DS7
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 4
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 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 DS7 covers about 9,100 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
- Diesel48.5%
- Petrol46.7%
- Hybrid4.8%
Most common colours
Grey, Black, White, Red, Blue
Average engine size: 1.6 litres.
Compare
How the DS7 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Alfa Romeo Stelvio | 10.1% | 32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Maserati Levante | 11% | 31% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz GLB | 9.7% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz EQC | 10.4% | 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Isuzu Trooper | 38.8% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| DS7 | 15.8% | 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jeep Patriot | 50.5% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family suv ranked in the family suv reliability index, or all DS models.
Questions
DS7 questions, answered
Is the DS7 reliable?
On MOT results, the DS7 is about average: it fails 15.8% of first MOT tests, 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 49 of 59 family suv models in our index.
What fails most on a DS7 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the DS7 are tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.54% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.79% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (1.37% of tests). By area, tyres fails 4.9% of its tests.
Which DS7 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (13% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a DS7 do a year?
A typical DS7 covers about 9,100 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 DS7 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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