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DS DS3 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 1,635 MOT tests from 180 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every DS DS3 has the same fault.

DS DS3's have a very good reliability rating of 647/999. The score was calculated from the average of every DS 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.

Car

Check the reliability of your DS DS3

Enter your registration to see the MOT history for this car.

  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
Petrol2019793/999Very good66,086 miles2,345 vehicles
Diesel2018616/999Good74,830 miles1,422 vehicles
Petrol2018708/999Very good72,151 miles3,674 vehicles
Diesel2016576/999Above average75,577 miles2,136 vehicles
Petrol2016676/999Good72,257 miles4,369 vehicles
Diesel2015512/999Above average76,462 miles758 vehicles

How reliable is the DS DS3?

Based on 1,635 MOT tests from 180 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

180

MOT tests

1,635

Pass rate

77.5%

Median mileage

65,264 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every DS DS3 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 724 out of 999.

Common DS 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 436 advisory comments and 42 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 200 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: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 64 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))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 47 advisory comments and 8 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 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))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 37 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 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))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 37 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 chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE WINDSCREEN WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDSCREEN EFFECTIVELY (3.4 (B) (II))

Exhaust

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 28 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))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 12 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))

DS DS3 MOT reliability by year

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

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
2019168983.1%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
201885981.4%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20173530681.4%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20166870376.4%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20153942974.8%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used DS 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.

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

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

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

  • Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

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

  • Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Buying a DS DS3?

Common problems tell you what can affect DS 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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