Used car guide

2021 DS DS3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 DS DS3s, from 912 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

912MOT tests in 2025
80%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
7,100typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2021 DS DS3s than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Brake discs2.7× usual
    DS DS3
    18.9% All 2021 cars
    7.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.3% of all 2021 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.

  • Wipers2.8× usual
    DS DS3
    10.6% All 2021 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 2.4% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Ball joint9.7× usual
    DS DS3
    5.8% All 2021 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.2% of all 2021 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.

  • Link ball joint covers33× usual
    DS DS3
    3.3% All 2021 cars
    0.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.1% of all 2021 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.

By area

The share of 2021 DS DS3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    24% 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
    23% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    12% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Suspension
    11% 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
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a DS DS3?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022729Tyres 24%
20201,194Tyres 31%
20192,516Tyres 30%
20183,439Tyres 36%
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 2021 DS DS3s registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score