CITROEN DS3 (2016)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 421 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,737
£145/month
MOT Pass Rate
82%
Good
Road Tax
£195
Based on CC/year
Insurance
Grp 8-20
1400cc Petrol
Solid Option
82% pass rate, £1737/year to run. Close to the national average.
Check a specific CITROEN DS3
Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.
Annual Running Costs
~42 mpg
Based on 1400cc
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
Get an insurance quote for this CITROEN DS3
Compare quotes and find the best deal
Reliability Verdict
Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.
At 10 years old, 82% of CITROEN DS3s from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 421 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 59,078 miles.
Got a CITROEN DS3 you're looking at?
Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.
How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
59,078
Average miles
74,000
Expected for age
The average 2016 CITROEN DS3 has 59,078 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
Looking at a specific CITROEN DS3?
Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.
Best Year to Buy?
The most reliable year is the 2018 model with a 89% MOT pass rate, while the 2010 model has the lowest at 70%. The 2016 sits between the two at 82%.
CITROEN DS3 by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
Check a Specific Citroen Ds3
Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.
Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.
About the 2016 CITROEN DS3
The 2016 CITROEN DS3 is a small family car with a 1400cc petrol engine. 421 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 80% of 2016 cars for MOT pass rates.
With an average of 59,078 miles at 10 years old, CITROEN DS3 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2016 CITROEN DS3 Fuel Costs
The 1400cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2016 CITROEN DS3?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,737 (£145/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 82% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.
CITROEN DS3 Reliability Trend
Newer CITROEN DS3s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 percentage points.
Buying a Used 2016 CITROEN DS3
At 10 years old, the CITROEN DS3 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2018 model has the highest pass rate at 89%.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2016 CITROEN DS3's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Rust and Corrosion
Watch outAt 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.
Suspension Bushings
Watch outRubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.
Service History
Low riskAlways request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.
Running Costs Compared
How the 2016 CITROEN DS3 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CITROEN DS3(2016) | 82% | £1137 | £195 | Grp 8-20 | £1737 |
| FORD FIESTA(2015) | 81% | £955 | £30 | Grp 1-8 | £1390-£347 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2015) | 78% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1722-£15 |
| FORD FOCUS(2014) | 80% | £1137 | £135 | Grp 12-25 | £1677-£60 |
| NISSAN QASHQAI(2017) | 86% | £955 | £190 | Grp 5-15 | £1550-£187 |
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.
Related Citroen Models
Explore other Citroen cars or similar models in the same category.
CITROEN C4
2015 · 1997cc Diesel
CITROEN C3
2010 · 1398cc Diesel
CITROEN C1
2016 · 998cc Petrol
FORD FIESTA
2015 · 998cc Petrol
VAUXHALL CORSA
2015 · 1398cc Petrol
FORD FOCUS
2014 · 1596cc Petrol
Related Guides
In-depth articles relevant to the Citroen Ds3.
Cheapest Cars to Run in 2026: Real Data from 19.8 Million MOT Tests
9 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Insure in the UK: Insurance Groups 1-10
9 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Run in the UK: A Complete Cost Breakdown
11 min read
Buying GuideFord Fiesta Common Problems (2026): What to Check Before Buying
13 min read
ReliabilityFord Puma Problems: 7 Issues Owners Report (2026)
13 min read
Check a specific CITROEN DS3
Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.
Premium History Check
Buying a CITROEN DS3? Our premium check covers:
- Stolen check (PNC)
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
- Previous owners count
Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data