DS DS3 (2016)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 22,600 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,228

£186/month

MOT Pass Rate

79%

Average

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Petrol

Check Carefully

79% pass rate, £2,228/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Petrol1598cc10 years old22,600 tests57k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1598cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,228

Per month£186/mo

Per week£43/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.

Reliability Verdict

79% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the DS brand average of 88%.

79% of MOT tests on DS DS3s from 2016 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 8 years old. That's based on 22,600 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 57,124 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 models472nd of 539(bottom 13%)

Rank among DS models49th of 52(bottom 8%)

vs average of all models-3%(82% avg)

vs 2016 models average-6%(85% avg)

vs DS average-9%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

57,124

Average miles

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2016 DS DS3 had 57,124 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%, while the 2015 model has the lowest at 76%. The 2016 scores 79%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

DS DS3 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	86%	42	29,365 mi
2021	88%	1,163	25,541 mi
2020	89%	2,236	28,588 mi
2019	88%	4,915	33,758 mi
2018	85%	6,276	41,941 mi
2017	83%	13,673	48,126 mi
2016	79%	22,600	57,124 mi
2015	76%	13,216	63,351 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Vauxhall Corsa

2015 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

78%

-1%

Ford Focus

2014 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

80%

+1%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

+7%

Volkswagen Polo

2015 · 1198cc Petrol

£1,750/year

82%

+3%

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About the 2016 DS DS3

The 2016 DS DS3 is a small family car. Our records list a 1598cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 22,600 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 13% of 2016 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 57,124 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, DS DS3 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2016 DS DS3 Fuel Costs

The 1598cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 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 2016 DS DS3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,228 (£186/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 79% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

DS DS3 Reliability Trend

Newer DS DS3s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 8 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2016 DS DS3

At 10 years old, the DS 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 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 89%. With 22,600 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

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.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 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 out

Rubber 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 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 2016 DS 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
DS DS3(2016)	79%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228
Vauxhall Corsa(2015)	78%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£75
Ford Focus(2014)	80%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078-£150
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780-£448
Volkswagen Polo(2015)	82%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£1,750-£478

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 2016 DS DS3

Is the 2016 DS DS3 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 79% of MOT tests on 2016 DS DS3s ended in a pass, from 22,600 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 3 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2016 DS DS3 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,228 a year (£186 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 DS DS3?

79% of 22,600 MOT tests on the 2016 DS DS3 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 472nd of 539 models first registered in 2016 (bottom 13%).

Which year DS DS3 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 DS DS3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 89% and the 2015 the lowest at 76%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2016 DS DS3?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2016 DS DS3 is 57,124 miles, which is in line with the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.