2015 Citroen DS3 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Citroen DS3 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Citroen DS3 diesel than on all cars registered in 2015.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints11× usual
  Citroen DS3

  18.7% All 2015 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 15.1%, against 1% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Exhaust system7.5× usual
  Citroen DS3

  17.2% All 2015 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 0.6% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Brake discs2.2× usual
  Citroen DS3

  27.2% All 2015 cars

  12.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 0.9% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

• Coil springs4.3× usual
  Citroen DS3

  18.4% All 2015 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 14.2%, against 2.6% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Number plate lights4.3× usual
  Citroen DS3

  15% All 2015 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 1.1% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Common 2015 Citroen DS3 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 Citroen DS3 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  36% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Suspension
  36% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Brakes
  34% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  30% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Driveshafts and joints
  19% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Exhaust and emissions
  17% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2015 Citroen DS3 diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 11× as often on the 2015 Citroen DS3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 7.5× as often on the 2015 Citroen DS3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2015 Citroen DS3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?