DS DS3 common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the DS DS3 at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 32,986 UK MOT tests of the DS DS3 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is exhaust system (mounting defective): recorded on 13% of tests of 2016–2018 cars at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km), 67× 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) (31×); headlamp (not working on dipped beam) (10×); track rod end (ball joint has slight play) (9.3×). The most common reasons a DS DS3 fails its MOT are joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt); coil spring (fractured or broken); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the DS DS3
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the DS 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 | 2016–2018 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 13% | 0.2% | 67× | 308 |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2015–2017 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 3.1% | 0.1% | 31× | 1,525 |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | MOT fail | 2017–2019 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.1% | 0.3% | 10× | 6,370 |
| Track rod end: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 2016–2018 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 6.5% | 0.7% | 9.3× | 308 |
| Position lamp: not working | MOT fail | 2015–2017 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 6.1% | 1% | 6.1× | 4,392 |
| Brake discs: worn, but not excessively | Advisory | 2014–2016 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 4.3% | 0.7% | 6.1× | 743 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | MOT fail | 2020–2022 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 10% | 1.9% | 5.4× | 569 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | Advisory | 2016–2018 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 9% | 2% | 4.5× | 932 |
DS DS3 by mileage (2015–2017 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) | 1,525 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (20%) | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (3.1%, 31×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 8,193 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (19%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (6%, 15×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 9,410 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (16%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (7.9%, 20×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 4,392 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (20%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (10%, 26×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 1,539 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (23%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (9.7%, 24×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 495 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (20%) | Exhaust system: mounting defective (12%, 41×) |
DS DS3 by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 6,613 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (24×) |
| 2016 | 11,846 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (41×) |
| 2017 | 7,271 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (67×) |
| 2018 | 3,455 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (44×) |
| 2019 | 2,515 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (25×) |
| 2020 | 1,223 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (4.6×) |
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 DS DS3?
In 32,986 UK MOT tests of the DS DS3 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is exhaust system (mounting defective): recorded on 13% of tests of 2016–2018 cars at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km), 67× 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) (31×); headlamp (not working on dipped beam) (10×); track rod end (ball joint has slight play) (9.3×). The most common reasons a DS DS3 fails its MOT are joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt); coil spring (fractured or broken); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively).
Why do DS DS3s fail the MOT?
Across 32,986 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the DS DS3 were joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (6.4% of tests); coil spring (fractured or broken) (5.6% of tests); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (5.3% of tests).
At what mileage do DS DS3 problems start?
The clearest DS DS3-specific issue, exhaust system (mounting defective), peaks against other cars at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) on 2016–2018 cars (13% of tests vs 0.2% for all cars that age).
Where does this DS DS3 data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 32,986 tests of the DS DS3. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.