2013 Citroen Ds3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 123,393 MOT tests analysed for the 2013 Citroen Ds3, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 72.4% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (78.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.3% in the 150k+ group versus 16.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 16,746 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.3% | 13,931 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.1% | 13,710 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.7% | 8,209 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.4% | 6,695 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.9% | 6,042 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 10,963 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 10,725 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 6,562 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 6,301 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 5,688 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 5,530 |
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 | 31.0% | 38,219 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.5% | 36,371 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.6% | 20,485 |
| 4 | Suspension | 15.9% | 19,673 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.3% | 11,485 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.2% | 10,135 |
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 | 4,069 | 16.4% |
| 30-60k | 36,709 | 24.0% |
| 60-90k | 51,477 | 28.8% |
| 90-120k | 23,555 | 31.0% |
| 120-150k | 6,161 | 32.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,394 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 63,362 | 25.9% |
| Diesel | 60,031 | 29.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 25,110 | 25.6% |
| 2022 | 25,205 | 26.5% |
| 2023 | 25,146 | 28.1% |
| 2024 | 24,623 | 28.9% |
| 2025 | 23,309 | 29.0% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Ds3
Before buying a 2013 Citroen Ds3, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.3% 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 (11.1% 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 2013 Citroen Ds3s pass their MOT?
72.4% of the 123,393 2013 Citroen Ds3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Citroen Ds3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.6% of tests, followed by suspension (11.3%).
Does the 2013 Ds3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.4% in the 0-30k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 123,393 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.