Citroen DS5 reliability: MOT pass rate and common faults
Citroen DS5 cars first used in 2013 had an MOT pass rate below the average for their age.
The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.
First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 55.9% to 60.8%.
In 2025, 58.4% of the 1,585 initial MOT tests on Citroen DS5 cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 65.8%. That is 7.4 points below the same-age average.
Check a specific DS5
Citroen DS5 MOT pass rate by year
| Year | Chart | Testsmedian miles | Passed first time | Against all vehicles that year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013age 12 | 1,585105,500 | 58.4%±2.5 | −7.4 ptsall: 65.8% |
Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.
When a car's mileage doesn't add upCommon DS5 problems at the MOT
MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems.
Most common MOT failures on the Citroen DS5
| Defect | Share of failed tests | All vehicles, same age |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring fractured or brokenSuspension | 21.8%144 tests | 11.7% |
| Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirtBody, chassis, structure | 19.5%129 tests | 5.1% |
| Suspension arm pin or bush excessively wornSuspension | 10.3%68 tests | 5.2% |
| Track rod end ball joint has excessive playSteering | 9.8%65 tests | 5.3% |
| Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres | 9.8%65 tests | 7.7% |
| Suspension arm ball joint excessively wornSuspension | 9.8%65 tests | 6.8% |
| Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrectLights and electrics | 9.4%62 tests | 4.3% |
| Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes | 7.6%50 tests | 6.1% |
| Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lampsLights and electrics | 7.6%50 tests | 4.6% |
These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the DS5's failed tests in each year. How we count
What to check when viewing a DS5
Suspension
- Push down hard on each corner. Check the car rises once and settles, not bouncing again and again.
- On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
- Check the car sits level when parked on flat ground.
Lights and electrics
- Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
- Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
- Check the dashboard warning lights come on when the car is switched on and then go out. Ask about any that stay lit.
Brakes
- On a clear road, brake firmly and check the car stops in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
- Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
- Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.
Body, chassis, structure
- Look for rust or damage under the sills, around the wheel arches and on the floor where you can see it.
- Open and close every door, the bonnet and the boot, and check each one latches properly.
- Check the seats are secure and adjust properly.
Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.
Check a DS5's MOT historyCitroen DS5 questions
Is the Citroen DS5 reliable?
MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 58.4% of initial MOT tests on Citroen DS5 cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 65.8%. That is 7.4 points below average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.
What are the most common Citroen DS5 problems at the MOT?
The most common failure areas are suspension (in 49.2% of failed tests), lights and electrics (in 39.8% of failed tests) and brakes (in 22.1% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.
What mileage is normal for a 12-year-old Citroen DS5?
At their 2025 MOT tests, Citroen DS5 cars first used in 2013, about 12 years old, had a median of 105,500 miles. Half had more and half had less.
How do I check a specific DS5's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.
Check a car's MOT history for freeWhat MOT data can't tell you about any Citroen DS5
Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.
Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't showOther Citroen models
- Citroen C3−5.6 pts against the same-age average
- Citroen Berlingo−13.5 pts against the same-age average
- Citroen C1+0.8 pts against the same-age average
- Citroen C4−10.1 pts against the same-age average
- Citroen DS3−14.2 pts against the same-age average
- Citroen Dispatch−14.2 pts against the same-age average
Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.
All 21 Citroen modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by ageSource: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Citroen DS5 cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count