Used car guide

2021 DS 7 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel DS 7 first registered in 2021 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 310 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 310 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

310MOTs of 2021 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
88%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
9,000typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for brake discs

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2021 DS 7 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2021 DS 7 diesel than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Brake discs2× usual
    DS 7
    12.6% All 2021 cars
    6.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.3% of all 2021 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.

Common 2021 DS 7 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 DS 7 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    27% 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.

  • Brakes
    23% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Lights and electrics
    5% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Suspension
    3% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 DS 7 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 brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2021 DS 7 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a DS 7?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the DS 7 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
2022330Tyres 23%
20201,378Tyres 28%
20193,893Tyres 26%
20182,645Tyres 27%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of DS 7 cars first registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score