2014 Citroen DS3 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2014 Citroen DS3 passed 73.3% of its 121,824 recorded MOT tests. Against superminis of a similar age (19.4% fail rate), the 2014 DS3 comes out 7.3pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.5%) and body, structure & corrosion (11.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, joints and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 11,508 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 28.8% once past 150k.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.9pp more often than petrol ones (28.1% vs 25.2%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 28.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 23.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 15,215 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.2% | 13,687 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.1% | 13,533 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.5% | 7,943 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.9% | 5,985 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.6% | 5,602 |
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 | 11,508 |
| 2 | Joints | 11,346 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 6,106 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 4,963 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 4,866 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 4,822 |
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 | 28.9% | 35,241 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.7% | 35,003 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.0% | 19,471 |
| 4 | Suspension | 13.4% | 16,298 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.5% | 10,333 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.1% | 8,659 |
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 | 6,254 | 15.5% |
| 30-60k | 46,577 | 24.1% |
| 60-90k | 46,905 | 28.6% |
| 90-120k | 17,447 | 31.1% |
| 120-150k | 3,808 | 31.1% |
| 150k+ | 820 | 28.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 61,005 | 28.1% |
| Petrol | 60,819 | 25.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 24,348 | 23.7% |
| 2022 | 24,669 | 25.7% |
| 2023 | 24,703 | 27.2% |
| 2024 | 24,480 | 28.1% |
| 2025 | 23,624 | 28.7% |
What to check before buying a 2014 DS3
On a 2014 DS3, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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+.
- Suspension (11.1% 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.
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 2014 Citroen DS3s pass their MOT?
73.3% of the 121,824 2014 Citroen DS3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Citroen DS3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.5% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (11.2%).
Does the 2014 DS3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.5% in the 0-30k band to 28.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 121,824 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.