2018 DS Ds5 — MOT failures & pass rate
665 MOT tests on the 2018 DS Ds5 are in this dataset, and 86.8% of them passed. That is effectively the same as large family cars of a similar age (12.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.9%) and visibility (4.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, tread depth and joints — wipers alone was recorded 36 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.0% in the 0-30k band and 16.0% in the 60-90k band, a 5.0-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 23.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 11.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.9% | 46 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.8% | 32 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.6% | 17 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.6% | 17 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.8% | 12 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.8% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 36 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 33 |
| 3 | Joints | 12 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 12 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 9 |
| 6 | Headlamp cleaning device | 6 |
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 | 23.9% | 159 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.4% | 89 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.4% | 29 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.4% | 16 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.3% | 15 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.2% | 8 |
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 | 301 | 11.0% |
| 30-60k | 263 | 14.8% |
| 60-90k | 75 | 16.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 134 | 11.2% |
| 2022 | 130 | 13.9% |
| 2023 | 134 | 14.9% |
| 2024 | 135 | 11.1% |
| 2025 | 132 | 15.2% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Ds5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.9% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.9% 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 (4.8% 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.
- Brakes (2.6% 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 2018 DS Ds5s pass their MOT?
86.8% of the 665 2018 DS Ds5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 DS Ds5?
Tyres, recorded in 6.9% of tests, followed by visibility (4.8%).
Does the 2018 Ds5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.0% in the 0-30k band to 16.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 665 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.