2018 DS Ds4 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,254 MOT tests on the 2018 DS Ds4 are in this dataset, and 84.1% of them passed. That is 5.5 percentage points worse than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 10.5%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (5.5%) and lighting & signalling (5.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, tread depth and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 118 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 21.1% versus 9.9%.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 15.7% of the time against 16.3% for petrol.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.7% 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 | Suspension | 5.5% | 123 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 5.4% | 122 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.0% | 112 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 86 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.6% | 82 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.5% | 80 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 118 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 95 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 81 |
| 4 | Joints | 79 |
| 5 | Wipers | 72 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 46 |
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 | 24.6% | 554 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.7% | 467 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.9% | 155 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 6.2% | 139 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.1% | 71 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.0% | 68 |
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 | 897 | 9.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,053 | 18.5% |
| 60-90k | 263 | 25.5% |
| 90-120k | 38 | 21.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,259 | 15.7% |
| Petrol | 995 | 16.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 418 | 6.7% |
| 2022 | 448 | 13.8% |
| 2023 | 462 | 18.4% |
| 2024 | 459 | 18.5% |
| 2025 | 467 | 21.2% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Ds4
On a 2018 Ds4, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (5.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (5.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.0% 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 Ds4s pass their MOT?
84.1% of the 2,254 2018 DS Ds4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 DS Ds4?
Suspension, recorded in 5.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (5.4%).
Does the 2018 Ds4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.9% in the 0-30k band to 21.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,254 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.