Used car guide

2016 DS DS3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 DS DS3s, from 11,532 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

11,532MOT tests in 2025

62%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)

6,500typical miles a year

1.9×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 DS DS3s than on all cars registered in 2016.

Brake discs1.9× usual

DS DS3
23.8% All 2016 cars
12.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.8% of all 2016 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.
Drive shaft (CV) joints6.3× usual

DS DS3
11.9% All 2016 cars
1.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 9.5%, against 1.1% of all 2016 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.
Exhaust system5.9× usual

DS DS3
11.7% All 2016 cars
2%

Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.5% of all 2016 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.
Coil springs2.7× usual

DS DS3
11.2% All 2016 cars
4.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 9.1%, against 2.5% of all 2016 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.
Track rod ends2.6× usual

DS DS3
8.1% All 2016 cars
3.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.5% of all 2016 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.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 0.6% here, against 4.3% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 DS DS3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Tyres

32% 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.
Suspension

29% 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

19% 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

13% 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

12% 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

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2022	729	Tyres 24%
2021	912	Tyres 24%
2020	1,194	Tyres 31%
2019	2,516	Tyres 30%
2018	3,439	Tyres 36%
2017	7,187	Tyres 34%
2015	6,328	Suspension 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 DS DS3s registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score