Citroen DS3 (2018)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 54 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,780

£148/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1200cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £1,780/year to run. 7 points above average.

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Petrol1200cc8 years old54 tests43k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1200cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,780

Per month£148/mo

Per week£34/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

89% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Citroen brand average of 79%.

89% of MOT tests on Citroen DS3s from 2018 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 6 years old. That's based on 54 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 42,797 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 models393rd of 607(bottom half)

Rank among Citroen models134th of 589(top 23%)

vs average of all models+7%(82% avg)

vs 2018 models average+0%(89% avg)

vs Citroen average+10%(79% avg)

Mileage Analysis

42,797

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2018 Citroen DS3 had 42,797 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2016 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 82%, while the 2010 model has the lowest at 70%. The 2018 scores 89%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Citroen DS3 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2018	89%	54	42,797 mi
2017	82%	177	49,771 mi
2016	82%	421	59,078 mi
2015	74%	17,143	66,348 mi
2014	73%	36,796	74,279 mi
2013	72%	36,753	80,127 mi
2012	72%	30,067	88,009 mi
2011	72%	19,075	94,215 mi
2010	70%	8,235	99,157 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2016 · 998cc Petrol

£1,600/year

81%

-8%

Vauxhall Corsa

2016 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,003/year

81%

-8%

Ford Focus

2016 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

87%

-2%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

-3%

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About the 2018 Citroen DS3

The 2018 Citroen DS3 is a city car. Our records list a 1200cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 54 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model matches that benchmark.

With an average of 42,797 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Citroen DS3 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2018 Citroen DS3 Fuel Costs

The modest 1200cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2018 Citroen DS3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,780 (£148/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Citroen DS3 Reliability Trend

Newer Citroen DS3s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 6 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2018 Citroen DS3

At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2016 model has the highest pass rate at 82%. Note: with only 54 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

Service History

Low risk

Always 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 2018 Citroen DS3 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Citroen DS3(2018)	89%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780
Ford Fiesta(2016)	81%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600-£180
Vauxhall Corsa(2016)	81%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003+£223
Ford Focus(2016)	87%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078+£298
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2018 Citroen DS3

Is the 2018 Citroen DS3 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 89% of MOT tests on 2018 Citroen DS3s ended in a pass, from 54 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2018 Citroen DS3 cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,780 a year (£148 a month): £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 Citroen DS3?

89% of 54 MOT tests on the 2018 Citroen DS3 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 393rd of 607 models first registered in 2018 (bottom half).

Which year Citroen DS3 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2016 Citroen DS3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 82% and the 2010 the lowest at 70%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2018 Citroen DS3?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2018 Citroen DS3 is 42,797 miles, which is in line with the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.