2018 DS Ds3 — MOT failures & pass rate
19,993 MOT tests on the 2018 DS Ds3 are in this dataset, and 86.7% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 11.2% of the time, so this is 2.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.0%) and visibility (6.3%) 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 886 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.7% in the 0-30k band and 22.5% in the 120-150k band, a 13.8-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 12.7% fail against 16.2% for diesel, a 3.5-point gap across 19,993 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 24.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 7.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.0% | 1,400 |
| 2 | Visibility | 6.3% | 1,269 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.6% | 921 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.8% | 562 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.6% | 527 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.9% | 385 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 886 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 687 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 611 |
| 4 | Washers | 592 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 538 |
| 6 | Joints | 387 |
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 | 24.7% | 4,938 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.5% | 4,095 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 1,016 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.0% | 1,004 |
| 5 | Suspension | 4.0% | 809 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.2% | 647 |
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 | 9,549 | 8.7% |
| 30-60k | 8,429 | 16.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,706 | 20.9% |
| 90-120k | 239 | 21.3% |
| 120-150k | 40 | 22.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 16,434 | 12.7% |
| Diesel | 3,559 | 16.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,936 | 7.6% |
| 2022 | 3,935 | 10.2% |
| 2023 | 4,001 | 14.2% |
| 2024 | 3,973 | 15.4% |
| 2025 | 4,148 | 18.8% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Ds3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 7.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (7.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (6.3% 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 (4.6% 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 2018 DS Ds3s pass their MOT?
86.7% of the 19,993 2018 DS Ds3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 DS Ds3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.0% of tests, followed by visibility (6.3%).
Does the 2018 Ds3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.7% in the 0-30k band to 22.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 19,993 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.