MOT performance
DS 3 MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 68,070 MOT tests of the DS 3 in 2023–2024, 69.4% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, DS 3s failed 56% more often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt”, on 6.01% of tests.
68,070 MOT tests on 34,484 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 69.4% | ±0.3 pts (95%), n = 68,070 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 1.56× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 7.3% | n = 68,070 |
| Average age at test | 6.1 years | n = 68,070 |
| Median mileage at test | 43,692 miles | n = 68,070 |
| Vehicles tested | 34,484 | 2023–2024 |
Where DS 3s fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 10.5% | +100% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 7.8% | +587% |
| Driver's view of the road | 6.9% | +97% |
| Tyres | 6.8% | +18% |
| Suspension | 6.4% | +59% |
| Brakes | 4.7% | +24% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.6% | +15% |
| Steering | 1.6% | +98% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.3% | -20% |
| Road wheels | 0.2% | +5% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.2% | -17% |
DS 3 MOT pass rate by fuel: petrol vs diesel
Raw pass rates partly reflect how old each fuel's cars are; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Fuels that differ materially from the model as a whole have their own page.
| Fuel | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 47,976 | 6 yrs | 72.1% | +48% |
| Diesel | 18,479 | 6.7 yrs | 61.0% | +76% |
| Electric | 1,615 | 2.5 yrs | 85.1% | +27% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Body, chassis and structure | 6.01% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 4.10% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 3.66% |
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 3.05% |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.94% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 2.73% |
| Washers: not working | Driver's view of the road | 1.95% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 1.86% |
| Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 1.52% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.48% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 15.72% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 15.31% |
| Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 11.99% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 6.80% |
| Exhaust system: system insecure | Body, chassis and structure | 6.54% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 9,029 | 81.4% | +43% |
| 5-6 | 23,417 | 72.2% | +56% |
| 7-8 | 31,646 | 63.2% | +60% |
| 9-10 | 1,551 | 58.5% | +46% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,706 | 84.6% | 1.36× |
| 2020 | 3,238 | 82.4% | 1.46× |
| 2019 | 5,040 | 82.8% | 1.30× |
| 2018 | 6,908 | 75.3% | 1.56× |
| 2017 | 14,531 | 71.2% | 1.56× |
| 2016 | 23,459 | 66.2% | 1.56× |
| 2015 | 13,109 | 59.4% | 1.66× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Compared with similar models
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UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.