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Citroen DS5 reliability by build year

Coverage 2012-20181 named generationHatchbackDIESEL / UNKNOWN
At a glance

Citroen DS5 built around 2013: more fails still not passed 3 days later

Citroen DS5 models built around 2013 fail an MOT and still haven’t passed 3 days later more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check a Citroen DS5 by number plate

Key figure

8.0% of MOT tests on Citroen DS5 models built around 2013 failed and still hadn’t passed 3 days later. For similar cars the same age, it was 5.2%.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Citroen DS5 models built around 2013 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Citroen DS5'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.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

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

Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your DS5's generation

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

DS5 Mk1

Mk1 (2012-2018)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELUNKNOWN

25.8% fail rate, built around 2016 (9 years old)

Likely between 19.7% and 32.9%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 20.8%)

From 167 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 DS5.

See every build year for the Citroen DS5

By age

Citroen DS5 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Citroen DS5 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
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
16725.8%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
79726.1%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
1,53329.9%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,71229.6%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
59629.9%

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 11 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 12-year-old Citroen DS5 models

These issues come from 12-year-old Citroen DS5 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough 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

    28.6%
    Advisory: 807Fail: 70 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    23.8%
    Advisory: 506Fail: 187 (27% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    13.2%
    Advisory: 353Fail: 6 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    12.0%
    Advisory: 240Fail: 1 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Minor

    One of the number plate lights not working

    11.6%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,964 MOT tests on 12-year-old Citroen DS5 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 12-year-old Citroen DS5 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Suspension + Tyres33%
  2. Brakes + Suspension30%
  3. Brakes + Tyres27%
  4. Lighting + Suspension25%

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

Across 984 MOT tests on Citroen DS5 cars built around 2013 (12 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

89%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

11 recalls in all

All 11 Citroen DS5 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 11 recalls

Top concerns

  • Citroen C4 Citroen DS5 driver airbag (Takata)
  • Front air bag igniters may not deploy correctly
  • Engine oil gallery sealing plug incorrectly tightened

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

    Lexus CT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.4%
    Dangerous
    5.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.2%

    Lower fail rate: 18.2%, against 29.3% for the Citroen DS5, both built around 2013.

    4,671 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  2. 2

    Audi A7

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.6%
    Dangerous
    5.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    84.3%

    Lower fail rate: 15.0%, against 29.3% for the Citroen DS5, both built around 2013.

    1,796 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  3. 3

    Honda Fit

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.1%

    Lower fail rate: 16.1%, against 29.3% for the Citroen DS5, both built around 2013.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,015 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  4. 4

    Toyota Prius

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3%
    Dangerous
    4.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Lower fail rate: 21.3%, against 29.3% for the Citroen DS5, both built around 2013.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    10,569 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

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 2013 (12 years old), the Citroen DS5 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,964 12-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Citroen DS5 ever sold: 5,262 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2013 (12 years old): 1,964 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.