2020 DS Ds3 — MOT failures & pass rate
4,108 MOT tests on the 2020 DS Ds3 are in this dataset, and 87.3% of them passed. Against superminis of a similar age (8.9% fail rate), the 2020 Ds3 comes out 3.8pp worse. Failures cluster in visibility, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (6.6%) and suspension (3.8%) 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 linkage ball joint dust cover — wipers alone was recorded 318 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2020 Ds3 fails 10.5% of the time in the 0-30k band and 14.3% at 60-90k, a spread of only 3.8 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 12.4% of the time against 13.8% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.4% of tests failed in 2022 against 15.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 6.6% | 271 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.8% | 155 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.3% | 137 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.9% | 118 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.8% | 115 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.0% | 42 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 318 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 121 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 118 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 113 |
| 5 | Brake discs | 67 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 63 |
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 | 22.4% | 921 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.7% | 890 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.3% | 261 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.8% | 154 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.4% | 139 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.0% | 82 |
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 | 2,368 | 10.5% |
| 30-60k | 1,607 | 15.7% |
| 60-90k | 126 | 14.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,338 | 12.4% |
| Diesel | 766 | 13.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 47 | 6.4% |
| 2023 | 1,350 | 10.4% |
| 2024 | 1,330 | 12.8% |
| 2025 | 1,381 | 15.0% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Ds3
On a 2020 Ds3, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (6.6% 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.
- Suspension (3.8% 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.
- Brakes (3.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2020 DS Ds3s pass their MOT?
87.3% of the 4,108 2020 DS Ds3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 DS Ds3?
Visibility, recorded in 6.6% of tests, followed by suspension (3.8%).
Does the 2020 Ds3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.5% in the 0-30k band to 14.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,108 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.