CITROEN DS3 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 5,275 MOT tests from 359 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every CITROEN DS3 has the same fault.

CITROEN DS3's have a average reliability rating of 485/999. The score was calculated from the average of every CITROEN DS3 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the CITROEN DS3.

CITROEN DS3 (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	545/999Above average	107,126 miles	1,232 vehicles
N/A	N/A	536/999Above average	92,455 miles	3,637 vehicles
N/A	N/A	516/999Above average	87,236 miles	6,434 vehicles
N/A	N/A	509/999Above average	73,874 miles	1,078 vehicles
N/A	N/A	493/999Average	69,543 miles	7,340 vehicles
N/A	N/A	486/999Average	78,439 miles	3,477 vehicles
N/A	N/A	472/999Average	70,456 miles	5,459 vehicles
N/A	N/A	465/999Average	80,439 miles	6,057 vehicles
N/A	N/A	439/999Average	79,874 miles	7,290 vehicles
N/A	N/A	389/999Fair	78,762 miles	1,144 vehicles

How reliable is the CITROEN DS3?

Based on 5,275 MOT tests from 359 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

359

MOT tests

5,275

Pass rate

71.1%

Median mileage

82,934 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every CITROEN DS3 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 608 out of 999.

Common CITROEN DS3 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,044 advisory comments and 73 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 768 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 110 advisory comments and 288 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 178 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Exhaust

VehicleScore MOT data includes 143 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record exhaust leaks, insecurity, or other exhaust defects found at inspection.

What to inspect

Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

Example MOT wording: REAR EXHAUST MOUNTING DEFECTIVE (6.1.2 (A))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 122 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Track rod wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 106 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record play or damage at a track rod or track rod end.

What to inspect

Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TRACK ROD END BALL JOINT HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY (2.1.3 (B) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 105 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

CITROEN DS3 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2015	60	746	72%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2014	93	1240	72%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013	92	1370	72%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2012	58	955	69.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2011	35	629	69.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2010	15	283	72.1%	Brake disc wear, Tyre wear

What to check when buying a used CITROEN DS3

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Exhaust. Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Track rod wear. Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Buying a CITROEN DS3?

Common problems tell you what can affect CITROEN DS3s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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