2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 Citroen DS3 MOT pass rate and common faults

14,134 MOT tests in 2024. 49.0% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

76Well below average
Passed first time49.0%
Failed or needed repairs51.0%
Typical mileage at test84,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 14,134 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken9.7%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt9.5%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play7.1%
  4. Stop lamp: not working6.4%
  5. Position lamp: not working5.5%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.8%
    770 marked dangerous
  7. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam3.2%
  8. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.1%
  9. Exhaust system: system insecure2.9%
  10. Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour2.8%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics41.3%
  2. Suspension21.3%
  3. Body & chassis17.0%
  4. Brakes12.3%
  5. Tyres10.5%
  6. Steering8.2%
  7. Emissions & leaks7.4%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened22.6%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm20.3%
  3. Exhaust system: system insecure10.0%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.7%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn8.9%

Is it getting worse with age?

The same 2012 Citroen DS3 cars, tested one year apart.

2023 pass rate (age 11)49.5%15,064 tests
2024 pass rate (age 12)49.0%14,134 tests
Change in one year−0.5 pointsaverage car: −1.3 points

All cars pass less often as they get older. The 2012 Citroen DS3 is ageing about the same as an average car.

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: coil spring: fractured or broken. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2011 DS3All DS3 years2013 DS3 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Citroen DS3?

In 2024, 49.0% of 2012 Citroen DS3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 14,134 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Citroen DS3?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2012 Citroen DS3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 76, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).

Is the 2012 Citroen DS3 getting worse with age?

In 2023, 49.5% passed first time. In 2024, 49.0% passed (−0.5 points). An average car that age changed by −1.3 points, so the 2012 Citroen DS3 is ageing about the same as average.