2020 DS Ds7 — MOT failures & pass rate
599 MOT tests on the 2020 DS Ds7 are in this dataset, and 89.8% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 8.8% of the time, so this is 1.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.5%) and brakes (3.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, tread depth and pins and bushes — brake pads alone was recorded 16 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.5% in the 0-30k band and 0.0% in the 60-90k band, a 8.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 9.6% of tests failed in 2023 against 12.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.5% | 21 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.2% | 19 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.8% | 17 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.8% | 11 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.2% | 7 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.0% | 6 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 16 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 12 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 9 |
| 4 | Joints | 8 |
| 5 | Daytime running lamps | 5 |
| 6 | Wipers | 4 |
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 | 20.9% | 125 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.4% | 122 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.8% | 47 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.2% | 25 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.8% | 17 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.7% | 10 |
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 | 270 | 8.5% |
| 30-60k | 292 | 13.0% |
| 60-90k | 34 | 0.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 501 | 11.2% |
| Diesel | 98 | 5.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 197 | 9.6% |
| 2024 | 197 | 8.6% |
| 2025 | 200 | 12.0% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Ds7
On a 2020 Ds7, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.5% 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.
- Brakes (3.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.8% 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 2020 DS Ds7s pass their MOT?
89.8% of the 599 2020 DS Ds7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 DS Ds7?
Tyres, recorded in 3.5% of tests, followed by brakes (3.2%).
Does the 2020 Ds7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.5% in the 0-30k band to 0.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 599 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.