Used car guide

2018 DS DS3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 DS DS3s, from 3,439 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,439MOT tests in 2025
70%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
6,200typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 DS DS3s than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Brake discs1.8× usual
    DS DS3
    19.9% All 2018 cars
    10.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.6% of all 2018 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 system8.5× usual
    DS DS3
    9.3% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.2% of all 2018 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) joints4.9× usual
    DS DS3
    5.4% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 0.6% of all 2018 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.

  • Headlight aim2.5× usual
    DS DS3
    4.3% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.7% of all 2018 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.

  • Headlights3.3× usual
    DS DS3
    3.6% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

By area

The share of 2018 DS DS3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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
    24% 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
    15% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    13% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    10% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a DS DS3?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022729Tyres 24%
2021912Tyres 24%
20201,194Tyres 31%
20192,516Tyres 30%
20177,187Tyres 34%
201611,532Tyres 32%
20156,328Suspension 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 DS DS3s registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score