2011 Citroen DS3 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2011 Citroen DS3 passed 70.8% of its 65,098 recorded MOT tests. Against superminis of a similar age (23.8% fail rate), the 2011 DS3 comes out 5.3pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.0% of tests against 12.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are joints, coil spring and stop lamp — joints alone was recorded 5,874 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 30.2% once past 150k.
The petrol cars hold up better: 27.8% fail against 30.3% for diesel, a 2.5-point gap across 65,098 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 30.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.0% | 12,357 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.9% | 8,371 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.4% | 7,412 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.6% | 4,291 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.3% | 4,093 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.0% | 3,277 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 5,874 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 5,385 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 4,941 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 4,049 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 3,539 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 3,530 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 30.0% | 19,559 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.3% | 19,102 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.9% | 14,228 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.9% | 10,984 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 7,795 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.6% | 6,273 |
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 | 1,049 | 15.6% |
| 30-60k | 10,615 | 24.7% |
| 60-90k | 25,467 | 29.3% |
| 90-120k | 19,001 | 31.2% |
| 120-150k | 6,987 | 31.7% |
| 150k+ | 1,952 | 30.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 37,272 | 30.3% |
| Petrol | 27,826 | 27.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,143 | 29.0% |
| 2022 | 13,728 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 13,377 | 29.1% |
| 2024 | 12,438 | 29.4% |
| 2025 | 11,412 | 29.8% |
What to check before buying a 2011 DS3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.9% 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 (11.4% 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 2011 Citroen DS3s pass their MOT?
70.8% of the 65,098 2011 Citroen DS3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Citroen DS3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.0% of tests, followed by suspension (12.9%).
Does the 2011 DS3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.6% in the 0-30k band to 30.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 65,098 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.