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DS DS4 reliability

E · Poor

MOT pass rates and common problems from 31,835 MOT tests of cars first registered 2015–2018.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
72.6%pass first time
−7.4 ptsvs typical car
Beats 6%of cars
31,835MOT tests

Verdict

The DS DS4 passes its MOT first time on 72.6% of tests, 7.4 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (80.0%). That puts it ahead of 6% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2016 DS4 does best (beats 7% of cars) and the 2018 worst (beats 3%).

Watch these weak spots

Lights & electrics1.5×as often as a typical car
Tyres1.3×as often as a typical car
Drive shaft (CV) joints10.0×as often as a typical car
Number plate lights6.0×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%34567891085%82%76%73%69%66%64%61%
DS DS4Typical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2015
Beats 6%
2016
Beats 7%
2017
Beats 5%
2018
Beats 3%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel2015–201822,09671.6%Beats 5%E
2.0 Diesel2015–20175,21774.4%Beats 13%E
1.2 Petrol2016–20174,52275.5%Beats 7%E

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 2.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 5.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 8.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 7.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 4.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 8.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−2.9 ptsTyres: 7.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.5 ptsBrakes: 4.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−0.9 ptsSuspension: 5.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−1.7 ptsExhaust: 2.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.6 ptsSuspension: 5.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 4.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 7.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 8.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 2.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 8.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−2.9 ptsTyres: 7.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.5 ptsBrakes: 4.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−0.9 ptsSuspension: 5.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−1.7 ptsExhaust: 2.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.6 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Lights: 8.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
8.5% vs 5.6%
Tyres
7.5% vs 5.9%
Body & structure
6.4% vs 1.2%
Suspension
5.7% vs 4.0%
Brakes
4.8% vs 3.9%
Visibility
4.7% vs 3.6%
Emissions & leaks
2.1% vs 1.5%
Steering
0.6% vs 0.8%
Wheels
0.2% vs 0.3%
Seat belts & airbags
0.2% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Number plate lights 6.0× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Tyre tread depth 2.0× typical
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Coil springs 2.6× typical
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
  • Windscreen wipers 1.5× typical
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Brake discs 2.0× typical
    Look through the wheel spokes for scored discs or a heavy rust lip on the edge.
  • Handbrake performance 2.2× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k89%84%76%73%68%66%64%60%58%
DS DS4Typical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Drive shaft (CV) joints5.5%0.5%10.0×
Tyre tread depth4.5%2.2%2.0×
Coil springs3.7%1.4%2.6×
Number plate lights3.4%0.6%6.0×
Tyre damage & cracking3.1%3.2%1.0×
Windscreen wipers3.0%2.0%1.5×
Headlight aim2.7%1.9%1.4×
Brake pads2.0%2.0%1.0×
Windscreen washers1.6%1.5%1.1×
Headlight bulbs & units1.4%1.0%1.4×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc55.6
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements44.8
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened36.8
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps30.8
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen29.9
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements26.8
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm18.3
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen15.6
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2018 DS DS41 engine75.8% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel1,13075.8%Beats 3%E
2017 DS DS43 engines75.2% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel4,32174.7%Beats 5%E
1.2 Petrol1,29775.5%Beats 4%E
2.0 Diesel1,09176.9%Beats 9%E
2016 DS DS43 engines72.5% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel12,41971.3%Beats 6%E
1.2 Petrol3,22575.5%Beats 9%E
2.0 Diesel1,97075.0%Beats 16%E
2015 DS DS42 engines69.7% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel4,22668.1%Beats 4%E
2.0 Diesel2,15672.6%Beats 13%E

FAQ

What is the DS DS4 MOT pass rate?

72.6% of MOT tests on the DS DS4 were passed first time, based on 31,835 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2015–2018. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 80.0% of the time.

Is the DS DS4 reliable?

On MOT results it rates E (poor): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 6% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which DS DS4 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2016 DS4 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 7% of cars on UK roads. The 2018 does worst: it beats 3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the DS DS4?

The most common failure items are drive shaft (CV) joints, tyre tread depth, coil springs. Compared with similar cars, drive shaft (CV) joints comes up 10.0× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.