Citroen Ds5 MOT Failures
An analysis of 33,135 real DVSA MOT tests on the Citroen Ds5 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: DS5 (2011–2021).
Where the Citroen Ds5 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Citroen Ds5 is suspension pin, bush or joint worn — this model is 11 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it worth watching for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 33,135 MOT tests, 10.24% of all Citroen Ds5 tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... (18x the fleet average), headlight fault (13x the fleet average), tyre seriously damaged (8.5x the fleet average), and brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ... (9.1x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Citroen Ds5's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 6 categories: Suspension, Bodywork, Lights & Electrics, Tyres, Brakes and others. If you're inspecting a Citroen Ds5 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Citroen Ds5's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Citroen Ds5 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... (18x the average) and suspension pin, bush or joint worn (6.4x). tyre tread depth not in accordance with the req... (6.2x) and excessive fluctuation in brake effort through e... (5.3x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Citroen Ds5 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... (8.4x the average) and emissions failure (7.8x). tyre cords visible or damaged (5.6x) and suspension pin, bush or joint worn (5.3x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Citroen Ds5 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ... (9.1x the average) and tyre seriously damaged (8.5x). transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... (7.4x) and headlight fault (6.5x) also appear frequently.
The shift from transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... at lower mileages to brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ... at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Citroen Ds5 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Hybrid system issues Major
The DS5 Hybrid4 uses a complex system combining the 2.0 HDi diesel engine with an electric motor and high-voltage battery pack. Affects All.
DPF smoke opacity failure (2.0 diesel) Major
The 2.0 HDi engine shows MOT failure rates 7.8 times higher than fleet average for excessive smoke opacity, indicating diesel particulate filter blockage or failure. Affects All; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£1,200.
Coil spring fracture Major
The DS5 shows MOT failure rates 4.2 times higher than the fleet average for fractured or seriously weakened coil springs, affecting both 2.0 diesel variants from 40k miles onwards. Affects All; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£200.
CV joint boot failure (all variants)
The DS5 shows MOT failure rates 18.2 times higher than the fleet average for CV joint boot failure, particularly affecting the 1.6 diesel variants. Affects All; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£150.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Citroen Ds5 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Citroen Ds5
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Citroen Ds5:
Suspension — check for suspension pin, bush or joint worn. Bodywork — check for transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot.... Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault. Tyres — check for tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the req..., tyre cords visible or damaged.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about hybrid system issues and dpf smoke opacity failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Citroen Ds5?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Citroen Ds5 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Citroen Ds5?
Based on 33,135 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is suspension pin, bush or joint worn — at 11x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... and headlight fault.
Is the Citroen Ds5 reliable based on MOT data?
The Citroen Ds5 has 9 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag hybrid system issues as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Citroen Ds5 most commonly fails on brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ... and tyre seriously damaged. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... and suspension pin, bush or joint worn.
How do I check a Citroen Ds5's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.