2012 Citroen DS3: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Citroen DS3?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Citroen DS3 than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Brake discs2× usual
  Citroen DS3

  28.1% All 2012 cars

  13.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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.

• Exhaust system3.6× usual
  Citroen DS3

  17.8% All 2012 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 1.4% of all 2012 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints3.9× usual
  Citroen DS3

  14.8% All 2012 cars

  3.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10%, against 1.9% of all 2012 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.

• Track rod ends3.1× usual
  Citroen DS3

  13.5% All 2012 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.4%, against 2.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Coil springs2.1× usual
  Citroen DS3

  17.5% All 2012 cars

  8.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 11%, against 3.8% of all 2012 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.

Common 2012 Citroen DS3 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Citroen DS3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  42% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  38% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  37% 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.

• 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  20% 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
  15% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Known faults on the 2012 Citroen DS3

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Timing belt that runs in oil (PureTech petrol)

  1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol

  The 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol engines use a timing belt that runs in the engine oil (a “wet belt”). It can break down early and shed rubber that blocks the oil supply, which can wreck the engine. Some also burn too much oil. Stellantis now covers earlier engines for belt and oil-burning problems for up to 10 years or 112,000 miles, as long as the car has been serviced on schedule.

  At the viewing: Ask for a full service history showing the right oil, and when the belt was last checked or changed. Check the oil level on the dipstick, and that no oil-pressure or engine warning light stays on.

  Source: Parkers: Stellantis wet belt compensation, and the cars at risk, Stellantis: compensation policy for earlier PureTech 1.0 and 1.2 engines (7 May 2025)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Citroen DS3

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. When was the timing belt last checked or changed, and has it had the right oil at every service? Is the car still within Stellantis’ extended PureTech cover?
2. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2012 Citroen DS3 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2012 Citroen DS3 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2012 Citroen DS3 as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?