2014 Citroen DS5 2.0L Diesel · CE64 KMF

Two fractured front coil springs on the same offside corner within three years form the defining mechanical story of this DS5. The first instance surfaced at the January 2023 test as a Major failure, after which the vehicle passed a re-test. The pattern returned in December 2025, with an offside front coil spring fracture recorded as a Major alongside a nearside rear direction indicator colour defect on a separate failure dated 6 December 2025. A re-test six days later on 12 December saw the vehicle pass, with only an advisory noting the front undertray was not fully secure. A recurrence of the same spring failure on the same wheel within a relatively short interval points to either an unresolved underlying issue with ride height, corner loading, or component sourcing at the time of the original repair, and any prospective buyer should treat the front suspension as the primary area of mechanical concern rather than a closed chapter. At 148,247 miles over twelve years, this DS5 has accumulated roughly 12,350 miles annually, a figure well above the typical private-use average for the model and indicative of sustained high-mileage operation. The MOT history is continuous year on year with no significant testing gaps, suggesting the vehicle has remained in regular service rather than being laid up for extended periods, which is consistent with the mileage accumulation. High annual mileage of this nature accelerates wear on suspension bushes, dampers, wheel bearings, brake discs and pads, and drivetrain mounts, meaning that even components not specifically flagged in the MOT record will have experienced substantially more fatigue than the odometer reading alone might suggest for a 2014 vehicle. The earlier 2021 advisories for both front tyres worn close to the legal limit and on their edges further support a pattern of use that loads the front axle heavily, and edge wear in particular is often symptomatic of alignment drift or worn front suspension geometry. Focus any physical inspection on the front suspension, particularly the offside coil spring and its mounting seats, and listen for clonking or knocking over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, as a weakened or partially fractured spring can produce audible contact with the surrounding strut assembly before it fully breaks. Examine both front tyres for uneven shoulder wear, which would corroborate the 2021 advisory pattern and indicate persistent camber or tracking issues, and check that the tracking has been corrected rather than simply masked by replacement rubber. Inspect the front undertray fixings carefully, as the recurring advisory regarding its insecure state suggests it may have been disturbed during previous spring replacement work and not properly refitted. On the nearside rear, verify that the direction indicator lens and bulb produce the correct amber colour, as the December 2025 failure was a colour defect rather than a simple non-function, which can indicate the wrong specification component has been fitted during a prior repair. On a test drive, pay particular attention to steering precision and ride quality, since coil spring failures on a front-driven platform of this age frequently coincide with wear in the lower suspension arms, anti-roll bar drop links, and top mount bearings. Any vaguiness through the steering, a pulling drift under braking, or a noticeable thump from the offside front over single bumps would warrant immediate investigation. Check for oil residue around the spring pans and strut bodies, as DS5s of this mileage are also prone to suspension strut seal weeping, which accelerates corrosion at the spring seat. Finally, confirm that the undertray is now fully secured with all original clips present, and ask for documentation of the spring replacement to establish whether a matched pair was fitted or only the failed corner, as fitting springs in pairs is advisable to prevent the opposite side failing shortly afterwards.