Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2013 Citroen Ds5?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2013 Citroen Ds5?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2013 Citroen Ds5?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2013 Citroen Ds5 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

50% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2013 Citroen Ds5 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 2,074 vehicles, the 2013 Citroen Ds5 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 77.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2013 Citroen Ds5?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2013 Citroen Ds5 are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (62.8% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (61.8% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (55.7% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2013 Citroen Ds5?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Citroen Ds5 (2013)

2,074 real MOT outcomes analysed • 77.2% first-time pass rate

2013 Citroen Ds5

CarHunch analysed 2,074 real MOT records for the 2013 Citroen Ds5. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2013 Citroën DS5 passes its MOT first time in 77.2% of cases, slightly below the UK average of 80%, which suggests moderately reliable mechanicals—but a serious concern is that nearly half of all DS5s tested (49.7%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above what you'd typically expect. Diesel variants, which make up the bulk of this cohort, perform slightly worse at 76.8% pass rate compared to the electric diesel hybrids at 79.0%.

At 73,146 miles median, these cars show typical wear for their age, yet they're averaging nearly 3 failures per MOT, pointing to recurring mechanical issues rather than one-off problems. The high advisory count of 15 per vehicle suggests potential cumulative repair costs; before buying, get a full pre-purchase inspection focusing on the hybrid system (if considering that variant) and any history of suspension or electrical faults, which are common failure patterns in this generation.

The 2013 Citroen Ds5 has a decent first-time pass rate (77.2%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

77.2%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

49.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.96

Over 12 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

73k

Middle half: 59k–89k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 15 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 2,074 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 2,074 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 62.8%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 38.1%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 26.4%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Suspension & steering 22.6%

Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken · Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Lighting 16.7%

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources · Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2013.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 2,074 Citroen Ds5 cars.

Before you buy a 2013 Citroen Ds5

Based on MOT data from 2,074 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 49.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (85%)	1,770	76.8%	3.02
Electric Diesel (14%)	284	79%	2.59

Colour Breakdown

Based on 4,985 Citroen Ds5 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 32.9%

1,641

Grey 27%

1,346

Black 16.3%

812

Silver 10%

497

Blue 6.7%

333

Purple 4.4%

220

Bronze 2.7%

136

Mileage Distribution

Most 2013 Citroen Ds5 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

73,146

typical

59,077

low mileage

89,405

high mileage

Half of all 2013 Citroen Ds5 vehicles fall between 59,077 and 89,405 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 59,077 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 59,077–89,405 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2013 Citroen Ds5s sit.

⚠ Over 120,696 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2013 Citroen Ds5 — Still on the Road

Most 2013 Citroen Ds5s are still being driven.

1,511 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 75% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2016–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.96

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Citroen Ds5: All Ds5 years → Which year to buy? →

2012 2014 2015

Or browse all models: Citroen →

Compare with another model

See how the 2013 Citroen Ds5 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing