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

At a glance

DS 3 Crossback and E-Tense built around 2021: about average at the MOT

DS 3 Crossback and E-Tense models built around 2021 fail their MOT a little more often than similar cars the same age.

Looking at a DS 3 Crossback and E-Tense?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

16% of MOT tests on DS 3 Crossback and E-Tense models built around 2021 ended in a fail (retests included), against 12% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on DS 3 Crossback and E-Tense models built around 2021 involves the tyres.

No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2019-presentHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 1,206 tests of DS 3 models registered 2021+.

About 1 in 10 petrol DS 3 cars registered in 2022 (9.4%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 320 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

DS 3 Crossback and E-Tense fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
62613.4%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
58015.9%

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 4 years old.

Figures for fails still not passed 3 days later, and for dangerous defects, aren't available yet for this model.

How the DS 3 Crossback and E-Tense compares

At each age below, see how the DS 3 Crossback and E-Tense holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 2,644 tests across 10 DS models, built around 2021 (4 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateDS average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
62613.4%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
58015.9%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

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.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the DS 3 Crossback and E-Tense.

  1. 1

    Suzuki Ignis

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.5%
    Dangerous
    1.2%

    Lower fail rate: 7.9%, against 15.9% for the DS 3 Crossback and E-Tense, both built around 2021.

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

    4,405 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  2. 2

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    Lower fail rate: 7.3%, against 15.9% for the DS 3 Crossback and E-Tense, both built around 2021.

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

    1,156 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  3. 3

    Audi A1

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.4%
    Dangerous
    4.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95%

    Lower fail rate: 10.1%, against 15.9% for the DS 3 Crossback and E-Tense, both built around 2021.

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

    16,400 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  4. 4

    Suzuki Swift

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.7%
    Dangerous
    2.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95%

    Lower fail rate: 10.1%, against 15.9% for the DS 3 Crossback and E-Tense, both built around 2021.

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

    8,591 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

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.

Recall context

18 recalls in all

All 18 DS 3 Crossback and E-Tense recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 16 more

Top concerns

  • 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.
  • Alternator protection

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

What has gone wrong on DS 3 Crossback and E-Tense cars built around 2021

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 54 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
9%
Emissions
2%

Wear items

Tyres
11%
Brakes
2%
Same age, different build years

Same age, different build years

How cars of the DS 3 from different build years compare at the same age. Treat it as a pointer, not proof. A difference can come from changes to the car, to the MOT itself, or to which cars are still on the road.

How they compare at 3 years old

2017-2020
14.3%
2024 data
2021+
13.4%
2025 data

How they compare at 4 years old

2013-2016
19.1%
2021 data
2017-2020
17.7%
2025 data
2021+
15.9%
2025 data

How they compare at 5 years old

2013-2016
21.1%
2022 data
2017-2020
16.0%
2025 data

Each bar uses one year of national MOT results. Testing conditions can differ from one year to another.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on DS 3 models of this age

This list covers every DS 3 built around 2021, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the DS 3 Crossback and E-Tense on its own.

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

    15.4%
    Advisory: 257Fail: 19 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    15.3%
    Advisory: 254Fail: 3 (1% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    11.2%
    Advisory: 137Fail: 26 (16% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    8.4%
    Advisory: 150Fail: 6 (4% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, but not excessively

    5.5%
    Advisory: 85Fail: 4 (4% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,172 tests

Looking at a DS 3 Crossback and E-Tense?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2021 (4 years old), the DS 3 Crossback and E-Tense (2019-present) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 580 4-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 1,206 MOT tests on DS 3 models first registered from 2021. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.