Citroen DS3 common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Citroen DS3 at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 74,714 UK MOT tests of the Citroen DS3 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is exhaust system (mounting defective): recorded on 16% of tests of 2015–2017 cars at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km), 54× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (19×); engine oil leaks (leak, but not excessive) (15×); coil spring (fractured or broken) (7.1×). The most common reasons a Citroen DS3 fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt); track rod end (ball joint has excessive play).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Citroen DS3
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Citroen DS3 than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exhaust system: mounting defective | Advisory | 2015–2017 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 16% | 0.3% | 54× | 352 |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2015–2017 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 9.4% | 0.5% | 19× | 3,299 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | Advisory | 2015–2017 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 8.9% | 0.6% | 15× | 1,634 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | MOT fail | 2015–2017 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 13% | 1.8% | 7.1× | 3,299 |
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play | MOT fail | 2014–2016 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 10% | 1.4% | 7.2× | 1,511 |
| Position lamp: not working | MOT fail | 2015–2017 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 6.7% | 1% | 6.7× | 2,274 |
| Track rod end: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 2013–2015 | 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 9.1% | 1.5% | 6.1× | 383 |
| Stop lamp: not working | MOT fail | 2010–2012 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 8.7% | 3.1% | 2.8× | 7,575 |
Citroen DS3 by mileage (2012–2014 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 423 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (20%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (7.1%, 24×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 4,386 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (22%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (11%, 16×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 12,507 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (20%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (11%, 14×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 15,711 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (20%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (11%, 13×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 10,763 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (22%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (11%, 14×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 5,018 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (23%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (11%, 14×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 2,017 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (25%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (11%, 14×) |
| 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 678 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (27%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (13%, 17×) |
Citroen DS3 by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 4,247 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (9.2×) |
| 2011 | 9,729 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (12×) |
| 2012 | 15,049 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (15×) |
| 2013 | 18,450 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (24×) |
| 2014 | 18,280 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (23×) |
| 2015 | 8,635 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (33×) |
| 2016 | 215 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (54×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Citroen DS3?
In 74,714 UK MOT tests of the Citroen DS3 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is exhaust system (mounting defective): recorded on 16% of tests of 2015–2017 cars at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km), 54× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (19×); engine oil leaks (leak, but not excessive) (15×); coil spring (fractured or broken) (7.1×). The most common reasons a Citroen DS3 fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt); track rod end (ball joint has excessive play).
Why do Citroen DS3s fail the MOT?
Across 74,714 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Citroen DS3 were coil spring (fractured or broken) (12% of tests); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (11% of tests); track rod end (ball joint has excessive play) (7.5% of tests).
At what mileage do Citroen DS3 problems start?
The clearest Citroen DS3-specific issue, exhaust system (mounting defective), peaks against other cars at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) on 2015–2017 cars (16% of tests vs 0.3% for all cars that age).
Where does this Citroen DS3 data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 74,714 tests of the Citroen DS3. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.