DS DS3
Registered from 2008 to 2021.
About this model
The DS 3 is a luxury supermini initially produced by the French automobile manufacturer Citroën and officially launched in January 2010. Positioned below the DS 4, this was the first and entry-level model from the DS premium sub-brand, which was spun-off in 2016 into DS Automobiles.
From the Wikipedia article DS 3, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
The manufacturer has told owners of 2 of these to stop driving until the repair is done.
- The propellant in the driver and passenger airbags may deteriorate over time. In the event of an accident in which the airbags deploy, it could rupture with too much force, injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
- The propellant in the driver and passenger airbags may deteriorate over time. In the event of an accident in which the airbags deploy, it could rupture with too much force, injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2016 1.2 petrol. 1,640 of 8,933 tests failed, 18%.
Better than 16% of 2016 cars. The typical one fails 13%, across 899 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 30% | 489 |
| Suspension | 25% | 418 |
| Body and structure | 24% | 394 |
| Lights and electrics | 23% | 371 |
| Visibility | 22% | 365 |
| Brakes | 18% | 302 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
Where it stands out against its peers
- Body and structure: failed more often than 93% of 2016 cars — 24% of its 1,640 failed tests, where an ordinary 2016 car has 5%.
- Visibility: failed more often than 91% of 2016 cars — 22% of its 1,640 failed tests, where an ordinary 2016 car has 11%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 30% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Suspension — 25% of its failures
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- Brakes — 18% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Lights and electrics — 23% of its failures
- A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- Body and structure — 24% of its failures
- Visibility — 22% of its failures
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 100–120k miles this one fails 30% of its inspections, against the 19% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 13% | 6% | 557 | |
| 20–40k miles | 16% | 10% | 3,241 | |
| 40–60k miles | 19% | 13% | 3,721 | |
| 60–80k miles | 23% | 16% | 1,137 | |
| 80–100k miles | 26% | 18% | 229 | |
| 100–120k miles | 30% | 19% | 40 |
8,925 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 40k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.2 petrol · 128 hp · 1272 kg · 2558 mm wheelbase · 6.1 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 1.2 petrol · 1280 kg · 2558 mm wheelbase · 5.9 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 1.2 petrol · 1165 kg · 2452 mm wheelbase · 6.2 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 1.2 petrol · 1159 kg · 2452 mm wheelbase · 4.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 1.2 petrol · 101 hp · 1124 kg · 2451 mm wheelbase · 4.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 1.2 petrol · 98 hp · 1143 kg · 2452 mm wheelbase · 4.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
- Do not drive
EM/00004/24
The propellant in the driver and passenger airbags may deteriorate over time. In the event of an accident in which the airbags deploy, it could rupture with too much force, injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Request to stop driving
- Do not drive
EM/00006/24
The propellant in the driver and passenger airbags may deteriorate over time. In the event of an accident in which the airbags deploy, it could rupture with too much force, injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Request to stop driving
A12/00104/22
The computer software used only in after-sales operations and for a limited period (October 2020 to January 2021) was incorrect. This may lead to Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emissions above the regulatory limits. Excessive NOx emissions pose a risk to the environment. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00172/22
Due to an error in the manufacturing process, a short circuit may occur in the battery located under the front bonnet.This could increase the risk of fire while the vehicle is being charged or on is in motion. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/03128/23
The structure of the inflator in the front driver and passenger airbags can deteriorate. If the airbag deploys, it could result in fragments from the inflator casing injuring the vehicle’s occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users