Citroen Ds3 (2012)
2012 Citroen Ds3
CarHunch analysed 16,369 real MOT records for the 2012 Citroen Ds3. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2012 Citroën DS3 falls well short of the UK average, with a 71.6% first-time pass rate versus 80%, and over half of these cars (54.9%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significant concern for buyers. Petrol versions fare slightly better at 73.8% pass rate compared to diesel at 69.5%, though neither is reassuring.
These cars are running around 69,000 miles at test time, which is reasonable for age, but they're averaging 4.42 failures and 23.5 advisories per test—indicating persistent wear and maintenance issues rather than one-off problems. If you're considering a DS3 from this generation, budget for regular repairs and have a pre-purchase inspection done by someone who knows the model well, paying close attention to any history of dangerous defects.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 4.3 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2012 Citroen Ds3
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 54.9% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Citroen Ds3
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (51%) | 8,404 | 69.5% | 4.86 |
| Petrol (49%) | 7,964 | 73.8% | 3.96 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 60% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2012 Citroen Ds3 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2012 Citroen Ds3 vehicles fall between 55,266 and 84,132 miles.
2012 Citroen Ds3 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 12,858 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 82% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2012 Citroen Ds3
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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62.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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61.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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50.9%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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50.2%
Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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45.5%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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38.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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33.9%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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31.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Citroen Ds3?
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