2015 Ds Ds3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 42,194 MOT tests analysed for the 2015 Ds Ds3, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension. Its pass rate of 76.6% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (82.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 28.1% in the 150k+ group versus 14.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.0% | 4,630 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 3,914 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.5% | 3,588 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.7% | 2,805 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.7% | 1,965 |
| 6 | Brakes | 4.6% | 1,941 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 3,465 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 3,014 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 1,789 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,773 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 1,749 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 1,288 |
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 | 28.8% | 12,149 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.2% | 11,475 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.6% | 5,719 |
| 4 | Suspension | 11.6% | 4,879 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.9% | 3,768 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.6% | 3,214 |
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 | 4,460 | 14.1% |
| 30-60k | 20,637 | 21.9% |
| 60-90k | 13,252 | 27.0% |
| 90-120k | 3,247 | 29.8% |
| 120-150k | 492 | 28.5% |
| 150k+ | 96 | 28.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 22,984 | 20.9% |
| Diesel | 19,210 | 26.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,245 | 19.3% |
| 2022 | 8,438 | 21.2% |
| 2023 | 8,577 | 24.1% |
| 2024 | 8,537 | 25.6% |
| 2025 | 8,397 | 26.8% |
What to check before buying a 2015 Ds3
Before buying a 2015 Ds Ds3, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 11.0% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (11.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.3% 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 (8.5% 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 2015 Ds Ds3s pass their MOT?
76.6% of the 42,194 2015 Ds Ds3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Ds Ds3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.0% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (9.3%).
Does the 2015 Ds3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.1% in the 0-30k band to 28.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 42,194 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.