DS DS5 MOT pass rate and common problems
81.1% of 2,286 DS DS5 MOT tests pass.
The DS5 has a pass rate of 81.1%, a little higher than the average across all DS models (78.5%).
The DS DS5 has a pass rate of 81.1%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this DS DS5?
This is the average across every DS DS5 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your DS’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 93.5% at 3–6 years to 80.2% at 6–10 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 93.5% | 154 | 43,242 miles |
| 6–10 years | 80.2% | 2,132 | 66,807 miles |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the DS DS5
The most common reason the DS DS5 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 28.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Too high".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 28.1% | Too high |
| Body, chassis, structure | 26.9% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Tyres | 24.6% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Brakes | 20.4% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Suspension | 16.1% | Fractured or broken |
| Visibility | 8.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.1% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Steering | 3.1% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.3% | Buckle not functioning as intended |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.6% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used DS DS5: what to check
These checks follow the DS DS5’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the DS DS5 comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 93.5% to 80.2%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 86.6% down to 76.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 28.1% of failed DS DS5 MOTs. 7.0% of tests at 6–10 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.9% at 3–6 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 26.9% of failed DS DS5 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 6.8% of tests at 6–10 years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 24.6% of failed DS DS5 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 20.4% of failed DS DS5 MOTs. 5.0% of tests at 6–10 years failed on brakes, against 1.9% at 3–6 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Suspension
Recorded in 16.1% of failed DS DS5 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 4.1% of tests at 6–10 years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check DS service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related DS models
- DS DS3 — 77.0% pass rate
- DS DS4 — 75.8% pass rate
- DS DS7 — 86.8% pass rate
- DS DS7 C-Back Pfrmnc — 84.6% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the DS DS5?
- 81.1% of DS DS5 MOT tests pass, based on 2,286 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the DS DS5?
- The most common reason the DS DS5 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 28.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Too high".
- What are the common problems with the DS DS5?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the DS DS5 are lights and electrics; bodywork and corrosion; tyres. 7.0% of tests at 6–10 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.9% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used DS DS5?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; bodywork and corrosion; tyres; brakes; suspension. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the DS DS5's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the DS service history guide for how to check and keep one.