Ds DS3 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ds DS3 car check
Is the Ds DS3 reliable? We analysed 289,414 real MOT tests across 35,001 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ds DS3? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ds DS3 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ds DS3.
Ds DS3 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ds DS3. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ds DS3 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ds DS3 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ds DS3 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Ds DS3 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Ds DS3 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ds DS3 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ds DS3 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ds DS3 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 755 | 86.4% | 16,833 | 25,188 | 35,196 |
| 2021 | 1,865 | 85.0% | 17,945 | 25,160 | 34,692 |
| 2020 | 4,753 | 83.7% | 19,602 | 28,246 | 38,759 |
| 2019 | 12,662 | 85.8% | 19,705 | 29,340 | 40,978 |
| 2018 | 23,356 | 81.5% | 20,818 | 31,982 | 46,591 |
| 2017 | 59,990 | 80.2% | 23,317 | 35,357 | 51,207 |
| 2016 | 111,452 | 78.0% | 27,351 | 41,600 | 59,263 |
| 2015 | 72,198 | 74.8% | 30,730 | 45,781 | 64,152 |
| 2013 | 55 | 72.7% | 41,496 | 62,816 | 83,458 |
How Long Does a Ds DS3 Last?
Based on 35,001 Ds DS3 vehicles on UK roads.
Ds DS3 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ds DS3 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Ds DS3
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.4% MOT pass rate from 755 tests
72.7% MOT pass rate from 55 tests
The best year to buy a used Ds DS3 is 2022, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.4% across 755 tests. The 2013 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ds DS3 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ds DS3 THIS CAR | 78.4% | 289,414 | 39,391 mi | 11 yrs |
| Ds DS4 | 78.8% | 41,313 | 46,222 mi | 11 yrs |
| Ds DS5 | 81.5% | 12,497 | 49,754 mi | 11 yrs |
| Ds DS7 | 85.6% | 9,395 | 36,274 mi | — yrs |
| Citroen 2CV | 70.7% | 92,003 | 58,071 mi | 45 yrs |
Compared to the Ds DS4 (78.8% pass rate) and the Ds DS5 (81.5% pass rate), the Ds DS3 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Ds DS3 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Ds DS3Should you buy a used Ds DS3?
The Ds DS3 has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.4% across 289,414 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Ds DS3 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Ds DS3 owner drives around 5,540 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Ds DS3 models stay on UK roads for around 11 years. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.