2017 DS Ds3 — MOT failures & pass rate
42,865 MOT tests on the 2017 DS Ds3 are in this dataset, and 83.7% of them passed. Against superminis of a similar age (13.4% fail rate), the 2017 Ds3 comes out 2.9pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.4%) and visibility (6.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and headlamp — wipers alone was recorded 2,003 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 27.1% versus 11.1%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.1pp more often than petrol ones (18.8% vs 15.7%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.4% | 3,617 |
| 2 | Visibility | 6.4% | 2,744 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.8% | 2,054 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.9% | 1,664 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.5% | 1,495 |
| 6 | Brakes | 3.2% | 1,374 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 2,003 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,779 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 1,395 |
| 4 | Joints | 1,305 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 1,272 |
| 6 | Washers | 1,259 |
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 | 26.8% | 11,483 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.3% | 9,557 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 3,190 |
| 4 | Suspension | 6.0% | 2,592 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.0% | 2,123 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.0% | 1,305 |
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 | 14,642 | 11.1% |
| 30-60k | 21,135 | 17.7% |
| 60-90k | 5,894 | 22.3% |
| 90-120k | 986 | 25.4% |
| 120-150k | 146 | 23.3% |
| 150k+ | 59 | 27.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 34,559 | 15.7% |
| Diesel | 8,306 | 18.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,215 | 11.2% |
| 2022 | 8,446 | 13.6% |
| 2023 | 8,607 | 16.4% |
| 2024 | 8,708 | 18.6% |
| 2025 | 8,889 | 21.2% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Ds3
On a 2017 Ds3, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (6.4% 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 (4.8% 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 2017 DS Ds3s pass their MOT?
83.7% of the 42,865 2017 DS Ds3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 DS Ds3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.4% of tests, followed by visibility (6.4%).
Does the 2017 Ds3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.1% in the 0-30k band to 27.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 42,865 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.