2016 Citroen DS3 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,310 MOT tests on the 2016 Citroen DS3 are in this dataset, and 79.9% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 15.8% of the time, so this is 4.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.5%) and tyres (6.5%) 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 headlamp aim — joints alone was recorded 67 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.1% in the 0-30k band and 34.0% in the 90-120k band, a 21.9-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 29.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 15.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.5% | 111 |
| 2 | Tyres | 6.5% | 85 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 80 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.8% | 76 |
| 5 | Suspension | 5.8% | 76 |
| 6 | Brakes | 4.1% | 54 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 67 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 61 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 58 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 47 |
| 5 | Wipers | 45 |
| 6 | Washers | 44 |
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 | 29.7% | 389 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.4% | 320 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.5% | 124 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.4% | 97 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.7% | 61 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.4% | 58 |
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 | 198 | 12.1% |
| 30-60k | 671 | 18.0% |
| 60-90k | 324 | 24.7% |
| 90-120k | 100 | 34.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 829 | 18.1% |
| Diesel | 481 | 23.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 214 | 15.4% |
| 2022 | 253 | 17.8% |
| 2023 | 269 | 22.3% |
| 2024 | 283 | 18.4% |
| 2025 | 291 | 25.1% |
What to check before buying a 2016 DS3
On a 2016 DS3, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (6.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Body, structure & corrosion (6.1% 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 2016 Citroen DS3s pass their MOT?
79.9% of the 1,310 2016 Citroen DS3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Citroen DS3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.5% of tests, followed by tyres (6.5%).
Does the 2016 DS3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.1% in the 0-30k band to 34.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,310 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.