2014 Citroen DS5 — MOT failures & pass rate
6,572 MOT tests on the 2014 Citroen DS5 are in this dataset, and 77.5% of them passed. That is 3.8 percentage points worse than large family cars of a similar age, which fail at 18.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.3%) and suspension (9.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and coil spring — headlamp aim alone was recorded 407 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 10.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.0% once past 150k — 2.4× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 28.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 20.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 680 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.3% | 610 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.4% | 419 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.3% | 351 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.5% | 229 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.8% | 184 |
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 | 407 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 340 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 301 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 223 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 223 |
| 6 | Joints | 203 |
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 | 28.2% | 1,856 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.7% | 1,424 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.2% | 866 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 566 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.8% | 446 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.2% | 274 |
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 | 117 | 10.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,373 | 18.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,731 | 22.6% |
| 90-120k | 1,646 | 26.3% |
| 120-150k | 543 | 23.6% |
| 150k+ | 160 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,321 | 20.4% |
| 2022 | 1,312 | 20.0% |
| 2023 | 1,356 | 23.9% |
| 2024 | 1,335 | 24.0% |
| 2025 | 1,248 | 24.3% |
What to check before buying a 2014 DS5
On a 2014 DS5, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.3% 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.
- Tyres (6.4% 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 2014 Citroen DS5s pass their MOT?
77.5% of the 6,572 2014 Citroen DS5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Citroen DS5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.3% of tests, followed by suspension (9.3%).
Does the 2014 DS5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.3% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,572 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.