Used car guide

2013 Citroen DS5: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Citroen DS5s, from 1,591 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,591MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
8,800typical miles a year
4.1×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Citroen DS5s than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints4.1× usual
    Citroen DS5
    13.5% All 2013 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8%, against 1.7% of all 2013 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 lights2.6× usual
    Citroen DS5
    16% All 2013 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.8% of all 2013 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
    Citroen DS5
    16.5% All 2013 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 1.8% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Ball joint2.2× usual
    Citroen DS5
    11.1% All 2013 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Headlight aim1.9× usual
    Citroen DS5
    7% All 2013 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 3.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

By area

The share of 2013 Citroen DS5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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
    36% 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
    31% 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
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    14% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2014971Tyres 34%
2012949Suspension 42%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Citroen DS5s registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score