MOT pass rates / DS

DS MOT pass rates and common failures

DS cars passed 68.6% of their MOTs first time in 2024, across 35,074 class-4 initial tests and 4 model groups. That is below the 71.2% UK average, and ranks DS 38th of 59 makes in the dataset.

Pass rates track age more strongly than badge: an older DS is compared here against older cars of every other make, so read the age table below before drawing conclusions about the brand.

What DS cars fail on

The items most often behind a first-test failure across DS model groups, as a share of DS tests. DVSA publishes each model group's six most common categories, so this ranks the biggest published causes rather than every possible one.

• Transmission — 7.1% of DS tests. A fault with a driveshaft, gaiter or transmission component. Costs vary widely.
• Springs — 4.5% of DS tests. A broken or sagging coil spring. Replaced in pairs, so it is not the cheapest failure.
• Headlamp Aim — 3.9% of DS tests. Headlights pointing too high or low. Cheap to adjust, and common on every make.
• Mechanical Brake Components — 3.6% of DS tests. Worn discs, pads or callipers. Routine wear, but it should be priced into the deal.
• Condition — 3.3% of DS tests. Corrosion, damage or wear on a tested component. Worth seeing in person, as the cost ranges from trivial to structural.
• Position Lamps — 2.8% of DS tests. A side or tail light out. Usually a bulb.
• Tread Depth — 0.9% of DS tests. Tyres below the 1.6mm legal limit. Budget for tyres, and treat it as a sign of how the car was maintained.
• Registration Plate Lamp(s) — 0.5% of DS tests. The light over the number plate is out. A bulb.

DS MOT pass rate by age

DS models by MOT pass rate

How many DS vehicles are left?

At the end of 2026 Q1, DfT recorded 49,753 licensed and 1,224 SORN DS vehicles across 6 published model groups.

Licensed and SORN counts for every DS model

Before you buy

• Transmission — 7.1% of tests in 2024. A fault with a driveshaft, gaiter or transmission component. Costs vary widely.
• Springs — 4.5% of tests in 2024. A broken or sagging coil spring. Replaced in pairs, so it is not the cheapest failure.
• Headlamp Aim — 3.9% of tests in 2024. Headlights pointing too high or low. Cheap to adjust, and common on every make.
• Mechanical Brake Components — 3.6% of tests in 2024. Worn discs, pads or callipers. Routine wear, but it should be priced into the deal.
• Check the actual DS — These figures describe the model group. Enter the registration for that vehicle's free MOT, tax and mileage record before you pay a deposit.

Common questions

What is the DS MOT pass rate?

68.6% of 35,074 class-4 initial MOT tests on DS cars passed first time in 2024 — below the 71.2% UK average across all published models.

Which DS has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the DS model groups with a substantial sample, the DS3 has the highest initial pass rate at 67.8% across 27,987 tests. Pass rates track vehicle age closely, so newer model groups tend to sit higher.

Does a good DS pass rate mean the car I am looking at is fine?

No. A model-level rate describes a population, not one vehicle. Enter the registration for that car's own MOT, tax and mileage record, and check for outstanding finance, write-off and stolen markers before you buy.

Methodology and limitations

MOT outcomes describe testable items at the time of inspection. They are not a measure of overall mechanical reliability.

Scope: Class 4 normal initial MOT tests completed in 2024. Models require at least 1,000 qualifying tests. Duplicate source rows are removed using official DVSA test IDs.

Source: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published 2025-05-23 under the Open Government Licence v3.0.