2017 Citroen DS3 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2017 Citroen DS3 passed 80.6% of its 475 recorded MOT tests. Against superminis of a similar age (13.7% fail rate), the 2017 DS3 comes out 5.6pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.6% of tests against 7.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and joints — headlamp aim alone was recorded 35 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.5% in the 0-30k band and 21.2% in the 60-90k band, a 8.7-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 27.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 16.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 55 |
| 2 | Visibility | 7.4% | 35 |
| 3 | Tyres | 7.2% | 34 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.7% | 27 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.3% | 25 |
| 6 | Suspension | 4.0% | 19 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 35 |
| 2 | Wipers | 26 |
| 3 | Joints | 24 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 20 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 19 |
| 6 | Washers | 19 |
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 | 27.2% | 129 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.8% | 118 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 42 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.1% | 29 |
| 5 | Suspension | 4.0% | 19 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.8% | 18 |
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 | 128 | 12.5% |
| 30-60k | 241 | 22.0% |
| 60-90k | 85 | 21.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 401 | 19.7% |
| Diesel | 74 | 17.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 75 | 16.0% |
| 2022 | 87 | 17.2% |
| 2023 | 94 | 19.1% |
| 2024 | 108 | 19.4% |
| 2025 | 111 | 23.4% |
What to check before buying a 2017 DS3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (7.4% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (7.2% 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.
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 2017 Citroen DS3s pass their MOT?
80.6% of the 475 2017 Citroen DS3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Citroen DS3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.6% of tests, followed by visibility (7.4%).
Does the 2017 DS3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.5% in the 0-30k band to 21.2% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 475 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.