2021 DS Ds3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,582 MOT tests, the 2021 DS Ds3 recorded an 87.6% pass rate. That is 4.7 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 7.7%. Failures cluster in visibility, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: visibility, recorded in 6.6% of tests against 3.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, brake pads and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 124 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.2% in the 0-30k band and 19.1% in the 60-90k band, a 9.0-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 18.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 16.7% in 2023 to 13.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 6.6% | 105 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.4% | 54 |
| 3 | Tyres | 2.8% | 44 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.6% | 41 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.2% | 35 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.9% | 14 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 124 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 32 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 31 |
| 4 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 29 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 18 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 16 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 18.4% | 291 |
| 2 | Tyres | 16.5% | 261 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.8% | 91 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.2% | 82 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.2% | 67 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.5% | 24 |
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 | 1,042 | 10.2% |
| 30-60k | 482 | 16.6% |
| 60-90k | 47 | 19.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,282 | 12.0% |
| Diesel | 297 | 13.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 54 | 16.7% |
| 2024 | 755 | 10.7% |
| 2025 | 771 | 13.6% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Ds3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: visibility accounted for 6.6% of tests. Start there.
- 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 (3.4% 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 (2.8% 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 2021 DS Ds3s pass their MOT?
87.6% of the 1,582 2021 DS Ds3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 DS Ds3?
Visibility, recorded in 6.6% of tests, followed by suspension (3.4%).
Does the 2021 Ds3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.2% in the 0-30k band to 19.1% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,582 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.