2012 Citroen DS3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 102,048 MOT tests, the 2012 Citroen DS3 recorded a 71.0% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail 22.5% of the time, so this is 6.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.4% of all tests — 5.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, joints and stop lamp — coil spring alone was recorded 9,986 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 31.9% versus 18.6%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.9pp more often than petrol ones (30.4% vs 27.5%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 31.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 18,780 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.1% | 13,342 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.3% | 11,519 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.7% | 6,807 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.9% | 6,015 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.0% | 5,099 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 9,986 |
| 2 | Joints | 8,964 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 7,301 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 5,810 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 5,477 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 5,444 |
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 | 31.6% | 32,203 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.6% | 30,190 |
| 3 | Suspension | 19.4% | 19,768 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.5% | 16,867 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 12,750 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.1% | 8,268 |
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 | 1,879 | 18.6% |
| 30-60k | 22,500 | 25.1% |
| 60-90k | 42,903 | 29.6% |
| 90-120k | 25,073 | 31.4% |
| 120-150k | 7,804 | 31.5% |
| 150k+ | 1,842 | 31.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 53,309 | 30.4% |
| Petrol | 48,739 | 27.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 21,473 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 21,356 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 20,874 | 29.6% |
| 2024 | 19,873 | 29.5% |
| 2025 | 18,472 | 29.7% |
What to check before buying a 2012 DS3
On a 2012 DS3, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.1% 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 (11.3% 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 2012 Citroen DS3s pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 102,048 2012 Citroen DS3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Citroen DS3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by suspension (13.1%).
Does the 2012 DS3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.6% in the 0-30k band to 31.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 102,048 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.