2017 DS Ds5 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,532 MOT tests on the 2017 DS Ds5 are in this dataset, and 85.6% of them passed. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 13.7%, so the 2017 Ds5 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.7% of all tests — 3.3 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, wipers and brake pads — tread depth alone was recorded 78 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.1% in the 0-30k band and 24.3% in the 90-120k band, a 15.2-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 27.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 9.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.7% | 102 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.3% | 51 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.0% | 46 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.0% | 46 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.1% | 33 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.7% | 26 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 78 |
| 2 | Wipers | 47 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 42 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 35 |
| 5 | Joints | 31 |
| 6 | Washers | 14 |
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 | 27.7% | 424 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.4% | 282 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.1% | 78 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.7% | 42 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.7% | 41 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.2% | 34 |
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 | 264 | 9.1% |
| 30-60k | 735 | 13.7% |
| 60-90k | 400 | 16.0% |
| 90-120k | 107 | 24.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 306 | 9.8% |
| 2022 | 300 | 15.3% |
| 2023 | 318 | 16.0% |
| 2024 | 299 | 14.1% |
| 2025 | 309 | 16.5% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Ds5
On a 2017 Ds5, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.7% 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.
- Visibility (3.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (3.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 Ds5s pass their MOT?
85.6% of the 1,532 2017 DS Ds5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 DS Ds5?
Tyres, recorded in 6.7% of tests, followed by visibility (3.3%).
Does the 2017 Ds5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.1% in the 0-30k band to 24.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,532 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.