Used car guide

2015 DS DS3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 DS DS3s, from 6,328 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

6,328MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)
6,700typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

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

  • Brake discs2.1× usual
    DS DS3
    26.9% All 2015 cars
    13%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, 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.

  • Exhaust system6× usual
    DS DS3
    16.2% All 2015 cars
    2.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints6.6× usual
    DS DS3
    13.8% All 2015 cars
    2.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.5%, 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.

  • Coil springs2.8× usual
    DS DS3
    15% All 2015 cars
    5.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12.1%, 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.

  • Number plate lights3.2× usual
    DS DS3
    13.3% All 2015 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, 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: 0.6% here, against 5.2% of all 2015 cars.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    34% 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
    33% 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
    28% 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
    17% 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
    14% 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 DS DS3?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022729Tyres 24%
2021912Tyres 24%
20201,194Tyres 31%
20192,516Tyres 30%
20183,439Tyres 36%
20177,187Tyres 34%
201611,532Tyres 32%

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