2013 Citroen DS4 — MOT failures & pass rate
24,344 MOT tests on the 2013 Citroen DS4 are in this dataset, and 73.0% of them passed. Against small family cars of a similar age (19.4% fail rate), the 2013 DS4 comes out 7.7pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.7%) and suspension (11.7%) 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 registration plate lamp(s) — coil spring alone was recorded 2,046 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.4% in the 0-30k band and 32.5% in the 150k+ band, a 15.1-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 25.9% of the time against 27.1% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 30.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 24.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 3,333 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.7% | 2,841 |
| 3 | Tyres | 7.8% | 1,898 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.8% | 1,893 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 1,862 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.2% | 1,014 |
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 | 2,046 |
| 2 | Joints | 2,029 |
| 3 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 1,810 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 1,602 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,588 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 787 |
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 | 30.5% | 7,422 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.3% | 6,646 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.2% | 3,693 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 3,164 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.5% | 2,809 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.4% | 1,079 |
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 | 230 | 17.4% |
| 30-60k | 3,916 | 23.2% |
| 60-90k | 10,299 | 26.4% |
| 90-120k | 7,142 | 28.9% |
| 120-150k | 2,305 | 30.7% |
| 150k+ | 449 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 22,424 | 27.1% |
| Petrol | 1,920 | 25.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,981 | 24.3% |
| 2022 | 4,992 | 25.7% |
| 2023 | 4,989 | 27.8% |
| 2024 | 4,845 | 28.9% |
| 2025 | 4,537 | 28.8% |
What to check before buying a 2013 DS4
On a 2013 DS4, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.7% 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.
- Tyres (7.8% 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 2013 Citroen DS4s pass their MOT?
73.0% of the 24,344 2013 Citroen DS4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Citroen DS4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.7% of tests, followed by suspension (11.7%).
Does the 2013 DS4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.4% in the 0-30k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,344 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.