MOT failures by make

DS MOT faults: which failures are more common than on similar cars

Across 86,532 MOT tests of DS cars in 2023–2024, 9 of the make's most common failure items stand out against cars of the same age, mileage and fuel, led by “Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt” at 10.73× the comparable rate. Overall DSs passed 70.5% of tests and failed 1.51× as often as comparable cars.

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Data to 2024-12-30 · Page updated 2026-09-28 · Publisher: 73 Auto

DS MOT tests: 86,532; 43,792 cars, 2023–2024
Initial pass rate: 70.5%; DVSA results, retests excluded
Faults that stand out: 9; passed the make × item gate

Failures more common on DSs than on similar cars

Each links to the model-by-model and age breakdown for DS.

Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt · 10.73× · 5.79% of tests
Exhaust system: system insecure · 10.19× · 1.19% of tests
Position lamp: not working · 3.85× · 2.53% of tests
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect · 3.46× · 1.31% of tests
Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play · 3.40× · 1.23% of tests
Headlamp: not working on dipped beam · 3.18× · 2.46% of tests
Washers: not working · 3.01× · 1.62% of tests
Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn · 2.86× · 1.36% of tests
Coil spring: fractured or broken · 2.68× · 3.82% of tests

DS’s most common MOT failure items

Ranked by how many DS tests failed on each item. The last column compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel (1.00 = the same rate).

DS: most common MOT failure items with observed ÷ expected
Defect item	Rank	Tests failing	Share	vs similar cars
Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	#1	5,007	5.79%	10.73×
Coil spring: fractured or broken	#2	3,305	3.82%	2.68×
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively	#3	2,844	3.29%	1.82×
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	#4	2,600	3.00%	1.51×
Position lamp: not working	#5	2,193	2.53%	3.85×
Headlamp: not working on dipped beam	#6	2,131	2.46%	3.18×
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick	#7	1,689	1.95%	1.07×
Washers: not working	#8	1,400	1.62%	3.01×
Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn	#9	1,175	1.36%	2.86×
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect	#10	1,133	1.31%	3.46×
Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play	#11	1,063	1.23%	3.40×
Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords	#12	1,059	1.22%	0.91×
Headlamp aim: too low	#13	1,044	1.21%	1.46×
Exhaust system: system insecure	#14	1,032	1.19%	10.19×
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid	#15	1,024	1.18%	1.22×

Only the 150 most common national MOT failure items are compared; a rank counts every failure item recorded on the make.

How to use this

The list shows what a DS is more likely than other cars to fail on, which is where to look on a pre-MOT check or a used-car inspection. The model pages break the same data down further — see DS MOT pass rates by model.

Limitations

Official data: DVSA anonymised MOT results (2023–2024). 73 Auto analysis: expected failures apply the national rate of each item for the test's age, mileage band and fuel. MOT results reflect maintenance and use as well as design; they do not rank makes by reliability.

Check a DS’s MOT history before you buy

Enter a registration to see which of these faults that particular car has failed or been advised on, and what it costs to run. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.

UK number plate or 17-character VIN

Where these figures come from

Anonymised MOT tests and results (2023 and 2024) — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Open Government Licence v3.0.

Figures labelled as 73 Auto estimates are our own analysis of these sources, set out in the methodology and data sources. To report a factual error, see corrections.