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DS 3 reliability by build year

Coverage 2015-present2 named generationsHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

DS 3 built around 2018: fails its MOT more often than average

DS 3 models built around 2018 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check a DS 3 by number plate

Key figure

25% of MOT tests on DS 3 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 18% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on DS 3 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The DS 3'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.

Exhaust

Worth checking

Listen for blow noises from a cold start; check for rust and leaks at the manifold and cat connections.

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 DS 3's generation

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

D

DS 3 Crossback and E-Tense (2019-present)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

15.9% fail rate, built around 2021 (4 years old)

Likely between 13.1% and 19.1%

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 9 MOTs, 11.4%)

From 580 MOT tests at this ageView details →
DS 3 (hatchback, ex-Citroen)

DS 3 (hatchback, ex-Citroen) (2015-2019)

Poor
DIESELPETROL

24.5% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 6,861 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 DS 3.

See every build year for the DS 3

Side-by-side

DS 3 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
DS 3 Crossback and E-Tense (2019-present)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate15.9%likely between 13.1% and 19.1%built around 2021 (4 years old)from 580 MOT tests at this age
DS 3 (hatchback, ex-Citroen) (2015-2019)
Poor
Poor24.5%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 6,861 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the DS 3, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

DS 3 fail rate by age

This chart combines every DS 3 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
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
62613.4%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
1,17216.8%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
2,36316.0%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
2,58018.0%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
6,86124.5%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
12,05426.8%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
15,39329.2%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
3,44730.2%

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 10 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the DS 3 stacks up

Two ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other hatchbacks

79th of 84

79th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against the UK average

24.5%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old DS 3 models

These issues come from 7-year-old DS 3 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

    18.9%
    Advisory: 1,789Fail: 207 (10% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    18.6%
    Advisory: 1,851Fail: 176 (9% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    14.8%
    Advisory: 1,427Fail: 22 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    9.9%
    Advisory: 626Fail: 91 (13% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    8.2%
    Advisory: 770Fail: 94 (11% of the times it was found)

Based on 6,861 MOT tests on 7-year-old DS 3 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old DS 3 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 + Tyres34%
  2. Suspension + Tyres19%
  3. Lighting + Tyres17%
  4. Emissions & exhaust + Tyres17%

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

Across 2,496 MOT tests on DS 3 cars built around 2018 (7 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

91%of this model's cars first registered in 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

32 recalls in all

GOV.UK files the recalls for the earliest cars under Citroen, the make this model was first sold as.

30 of the 32 DS 3 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 Critical
  • 27 more

Top concerns

  • Loss of control
  • DS automobiles fuel pipe
  • A fuel pipe could develop a leak in the engine compartment which could lead to a risk of a vehicle fire.

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 Aygo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.2%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Lower fail rate: 13.0%, against 24.5% for the DS 3, both built around 2018.

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

    25,028 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Peugeot 108

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.4%
    Dangerous
    5.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.5%

    Lower fail rate: 14.3%, against 24.5% for the DS 3, both built around 2018.

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

    10,851 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Suzuki Celerio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.5%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.5%

    Lower fail rate: 13.9%, against 24.5% for the DS 3, both built around 2018.

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

    5,662 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Suzuki Swift

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    3.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95%

    Lower fail rate: 14.7%, against 24.5% for the DS 3, both built around 2018.

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

    11,074 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

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 2018 (7 years old), the DS 3 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 6,861 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every DS 3 ever sold: 44,496 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 6,861 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.