What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used DS DS5.
The DS DS5 occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the DS DS5 range, with 3 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a DS DS5? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
DS5_Gen1 (2015–2019) — Engine options included the 1.6 BlueHDi, 2.0 BlueHDi. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 3 classified as significant. The most significant concern is CV joint boot deterioration (£150–£300 to address).
The constant velocity joint boots on DS5 transmission shafts deteriorate at rates significantly above the fleet average. MOT data shows the 2.0L diesel failing at 13.7 times the fleet average for severe boot deterioration and 8.8 times for missing boots between 20-40k miles. The rubber boots crack and split, allowing grease to escape and dirt to enter the CV joint. This pattern suggests either inferior boot material or design stress concentration on the DS5 platform.
Split boots allow the CV joint grease to escape and contaminate components. Water and dirt entering the joint causes rapid wear of the ball bearings and races. Complete CV joint failure results in loss of drive to one wheel and potential damage to the transmission. Joint replacement typically costs £200-400 per side.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
The 1.6L diesel DS5 shows brake disc failure at 2.4 times the fleet average in the 20-40k mile range, with discs becoming excessively weakened or fractured. This suggests either inadequate disc specification for the vehicle weight, poor quality disc material, or aggressive brake pad compound causing accelerated disc wear. The issue appears specific to the 1.6L variant.
Fractured brake discs can fail completely, causing total loss of braking on the affected wheel and potential wheel lockup. Severely weakened discs reduce braking effectiveness and increase stopping distances. Complete disc and pad replacement is required, typically costing £250-400 per axle.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
Both diesel engines in the DS5 use diesel particulate filters which are prone to blockage in urban driving conditions. The BlueHDi engines require regular high-temperature regeneration cycles to burn off accumulated soot, but short journeys and stop-start traffic prevent this process. Blocked DPF triggers dashboard warnings and eventually limp mode with severe power reduction.
Completely blocked DPF requires professional cleaning at £300-500 or replacement at £1,500-2,500. The car enters limp mode with severely restricted performance when the DPF reaches critical blockage. Ignored DPF problems can damage the turbocharger and engine through excessive back pressure.
Ask about the car's typical usage — short urban journeys prevent DPF regeneration. Check for DPF warning lights and ask about any previous regeneration issues. A forced regeneration at a garage costs far less than a DPF replacement.
The 1.6L diesel DS5 shows excessive fluid leakage at MOT testers categorise this as environmental or safety risk leakage, suggesting significant oil or coolant loss rather than minor seepage. Common leak points on PSA diesel engines include the turbocharger oil feed lines, intercooler connections, and engine undertray pooling areas.
Excessive fluid loss can lead to engine damage through oil starvation or overheating from coolant loss. Environmental contamination from oil leaks can result in MOT failure. Large leaks may create slippery conditions for following traffic. Repair costs vary widely depending on the leak source.
Check the oil level before the engine is started. Ask the seller how often they top up the oil between services. After a test drive, check the level again and look behind the car for blue or grey exhaust smoke under acceleration.
PSA BlueHDi engines use flexible oil feed and return lines to the turbocharger which can develop leaks at higher mileages. The oil lines experience thermal cycling and vibration which causes the rubber sections to harden and crack. This is a known pattern across the PSA group engine family and contributes to the excessive fluid leakage seen in MOT data.
Oil feed line leaks reduce lubrication to the turbocharger bearings, potentially causing turbo failure at £1,500-2,500 replacement cost. Oil spraying onto hot exhaust components creates fire risk and produces acrid smoke. The leak will worsen over time and cause MOT failure for excessive fluid loss.
During a test drive, check for hesitation, lack of power or unusual whining from the turbo area. Watch for blue or white smoke from the exhaust under hard acceleration. Check the oil condition and service history — turbos rely on clean oil.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the DS DS5 common problems page.
Based on 8k real DVSA MOT tests, the DS DS5 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... at 14x the fleet average, followed by rear registration plate lamp or light source mi... (7x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full DS DS5 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 13k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full DS DS5 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The DS DS5 is a solid choice on the used market, though not without its quirks. The issues we track are well-understood and largely avoidable if you know what to look for. A thorough inspection and complete service history go a long way.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific DS DS5, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known DS DS5 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.