2010 Citroen DS3 — MOT failures & pass rate
28,307 MOT tests on the 2010 Citroen DS3 are in this dataset, and 70.1% of them passed. That is 4.9 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 25.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.0%) and suspension (13.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, coil spring and track rod end — joints alone was recorded 2,359 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 32.0% versus 17.9%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.8pp more often than petrol ones (30.7% vs 28.9%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 30.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 28.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 4,249 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.9% | 3,926 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.2% | 3,181 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.3% | 2,080 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.3% | 1,792 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.8% | 1,637 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 2,359 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 2,090 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 1,750 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,466 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 1,393 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 1,307 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 30.0% | 8,500 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.5% | 8,059 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.1% | 7,373 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.7% | 5,294 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.5% | 4,375 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.0% | 3,103 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 352 | 17.9% |
| 30-60k | 3,457 | 25.1% |
| 60-90k | 10,304 | 29.7% |
| 90-120k | 9,452 | 31.4% |
| 120-150k | 3,580 | 31.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,149 | 32.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 14,872 | 30.7% |
| Petrol | 13,435 | 28.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,325 | 28.8% |
| 2022 | 6,167 | 29.4% |
| 2023 | 5,855 | 30.1% |
| 2024 | 5,394 | 31.0% |
| 2025 | 4,566 | 30.3% |
What to check before buying a 2010 DS3
On a 2010 DS3, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.2% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2010 Citroen DS3s pass their MOT?
70.1% of the 28,307 2010 Citroen DS3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Citroen DS3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.0% of tests, followed by suspension (13.9%).
Does the 2010 DS3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.9% in the 0-30k band to 32.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,307 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.