Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2018 DS Ds3?

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 2018 DS Ds3?

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 2018 DS Ds3?

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 2018 DS Ds3 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

24% 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 2018 DS Ds3 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 3,416 vehicles, the 2018 DS Ds3 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 84%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2018 DS Ds3?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2018 DS Ds3 are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (45.4% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (45.4% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (35.9% 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 2018 DS Ds3?

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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DS Ds3 (2018)

3,416 real MOT outcomes analysed • 84% first-time pass rate

2018 DS Ds3

CarHunch analysed 3,416 real MOT records for the 2018 DS Ds3. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2018 DS DS3 passes its MOT at 84%, which is 4 points ahead of the UK average and a genuinely solid result. However, nearly a quarter of these cars (23.9%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is significantly higher than typical and worth taking seriously during any pre-purchase inspection.

These cars are running at a sensible 29,760 miles median for their age, suggesting moderate use rather than hard miles. With an average of 1.15 failures per test, the DS3 is relatively dependable, but the high advisory count of 6.7 per vehicle points to minor wear accumulating across multiple systems—a petrol example will typically fare slightly better than diesel. Before committing to a purchase, run a full diagnostic check and request the complete MOT history to flag any patterns of recurring issues.

The 2018 DS Ds3 passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (84%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ 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

84%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

23.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.15

Over 6.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

30k

Middle half: 22k–40k

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 6.7 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 3,416 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.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 3,416 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 45.4%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · …

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

Brake wear 31.2%

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

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

Other issues 13.4%

Oil leak, but not excessive

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2018.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 3,416 DS Ds3 cars.

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 2.9 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

84.5%

Petrol

2,821 vehicles

81.6%

Diesel

595 vehicles

Before you buy a 2018 DS Ds3

Based on MOT data from 3,416 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 23.9% 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
Petrol (83%)	2,821	84.5%	1.11
Diesel (17%)	595	81.6%	1.33

Colour Breakdown

Based on 34,026 DS Ds3 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 26.2%

8,921

Black 21.3%

7,245

Grey 13.7%

4,654

Blue 9.9%

3,381

Purple 9%

3,049

Red 8.7%

2,973

Yellow 4%

1,373

Green 3.2%

1,073

Silver 2.8%

967

Cream 0.8%

258

Gold 0.4%

132

Mileage Distribution

Most 2018 DS Ds3 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.

29,760

typical

21,540

low mileage

39,600

high mileage

Half of all 2018 DS Ds3 vehicles fall between 21,540 and 39,600 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 21,540 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.

✓ 21,540–39,600 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2018 DS Ds3s sit.

⚠ Over 53,460 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2018 DS Ds3 — Still on the Road

Almost all 2018 DS Ds3s are still on the road.

Strong survival — 3,276 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.
* 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

6.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.15

Avg failures per vehicle

6.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — DS Ds3: All Ds3 years → Which year to buy? →

2015 2016 2017 2019 2020 2021 2022

Or browse all models: DS →

Compare with another model

See how the 2018 DS Ds3 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?