2021 · 3 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2021 DS DS3 MOT pass rate and common faults

870 MOT tests in 2024. 84.3% passed first time, compared with 87.6% for all cars the same age.

96Below average
Passed first time84.3%
Failed or needed repairs15.7%
Typical mileage at test21,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 870 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively7.0%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.5%
    23 marked dangerous
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.4%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
  5. Headlamp aim: too high0.8%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm0.7%
    11 marked dangerous
  7. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.7%
  8. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn0.6%
  9. Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative0.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.9%
  2. Brakes3.2%
  3. Suspension3.0%
  4. Lights & electrics2.9%
  5. Tyres2.6%
  6. Body & chassis0.9%
  7. Emissions & leaks0.3%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm8.4%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.1%
  4. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn3.4%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.3%

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: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2020 DS3All DS3 years

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 DS DS3?

In 2024, 84.3% of 2021 DS DS3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 870 tests. The average for all 3-year-old cars was 87.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2021 DS DS3?

The most common failure reasons were wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. The biggest problem area was visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors).

Is the 2021 DS DS3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 96, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).