Used car guide

2015 Citroen DS3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 Citroen DS3s, from 8,290 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

8,290MOT tests in 2025

55%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)

6,700typical miles a year

6.6×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2015 Citroen DS3s than on all cars registered in 2015.

Exhaust system6.6× usual

Citroen DS3
17.7% All 2015 cars
2.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 0.7% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.
Brake discs2× usual

Citroen DS3
26.5% All 2015 cars
13%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.9% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.
Coil springs3.4× usual

Citroen DS3
18.6% All 2015 cars
5.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 13.3%, against 3% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.
Drive shaft (CV) joints6.1× usual

Citroen DS3
12.9% All 2015 cars
2.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 9.7%, against 1.2% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.
Number plate lights3.4× usual

Citroen DS3
14.1% All 2015 cars
4.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.2% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 0.8% here, against 5.2% of all 2015 cars.

By area

The share of 2015 Citroen DS3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

39% of testsRough price £120–£400

At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
Tyres

34% of testsRough price £70–£150

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Brakes

34% of testsRough price £150–£350

At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
Lights and electrics

29% of testsRough price £10–£80

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Exhaust and emissions

19% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.
Driveshafts and joints

13% of testsRough price £60–£350

At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Citroen DS3?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2014	17,374	Suspension 40%
2013	17,088	Suspension 42%
2012	13,491	Suspension 46%
2011	8,391	Suspension 46%
2010	3,404	Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2015 Citroen DS3s registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score