Skip to main content
Check
Citroen

Citroen DS3 reliability by build year

Coverage 2010-20191 named generationHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Citroen DS3 built around 2014: fails its MOT more often than average

Citroen DS3 models built around 2014 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check a Citroen DS3 by number plate

Key figure

33% of MOT tests on Citroen DS3 models built around 2014 ended in a fail (retests included), against 27% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Citroen DS3 models built around 2014 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Citroen DS3's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your DS3's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

DS3 Mk1

Mk1 (2010-2019)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

24.0% fail rate, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Likely between 17.4% and 32.2%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 18.7%)

From 125 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Citroen DS3.

See every build year for the Citroen DS3

By age

Citroen DS3 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Citroen DS3 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
6229.0%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
17926.3%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
3,20630.2%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
19,36932.1%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
25,56632.9%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
23,47033.4%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
17,41834.2%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
8,92534.5%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
2,24933.5%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 14 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 11-year-old Citroen DS3 models

These issues come from 11-year-old Citroen DS3 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    22.4%
    Advisory: 7,522Fail: 830 (10% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    21.6%
    Advisory: 7,896Fail: 220 (3% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    15.8%
    Advisory: 4,967Fail: 1,084 (18% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    15.5%
    Advisory: 3,672Fail: 758 (17% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    14.6%
    Advisory: 2,369Fail: 2,351 (50% of the times it was found)

Based on 25,566 MOT tests on 11-year-old Citroen DS3 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 11-year-old Citroen DS3 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Suspension29%
  2. Suspension + Tyres28%
  3. Brakes + Tyres27%
  4. Lighting + Suspension22%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 14,528 MOT tests on Citroen DS3 cars built around 2014 (11 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

93%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

33 recalls in all

25 of the 33 Citroen DS3 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 5 Critical
  • 20 more

Top concerns

  • Loss of control
  • Directional control may be affected
  • Fuel may leak and create fire risk

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Toyota IQ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.4%
    Dangerous
    3.2%

    Lower fail rate: 16.6%, against 32.9% for the Citroen DS3, both built around 2014.

    1,222 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  2. 2

    Skoda Citigo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.6%
    Dangerous
    4.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.2%

    Lower fail rate: 19.8%, against 32.9% for the Citroen DS3, both built around 2014.

    10,541 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  3. 3

    Peugeot 108

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.9%
    Dangerous
    5.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.5%

    Lower fail rate: 19.5%, against 32.9% for the Citroen DS3, both built around 2014.

    3,363 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  4. 4

    SEAT Mii

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.3%
    Dangerous
    3.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.4%

    Lower fail rate: 21.6%, against 32.9% for the Citroen DS3, both built around 2014.

    4,025 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2014 (11 years old), the Citroen DS3 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 25,566 11-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Citroen DS3 ever sold: 100,444 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2014 (11 years old): 25,566 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.