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Official DVLA Record
MOT Valid
Road Tax Paid

2012 Citroen DS3 1.6L Petrol · EN12 AAF

EN12 AAF

2012 Citroen DS3 (1.6L, petrol). First registered 29 Jun 2012. Recorded mileage 71,054 miles. MOT valid until 17 Feb 2027. Taxed until 01 Aug 2027.

Make & Model
CITROEN DS3
Year / Origin
2012 · Chelmsford
Safety Recall
Unknown
MOT Status
Valid until 17 Feb 2027
Road Tax
Taxed (01 Aug 2027)
Recorded Mileage
71,054 mi
ULEZ Compliance
ULEZ Compliant (Euro 4+)
Fuel & Engine
Petrol · 1.6L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Valid
Valid until 17 Feb 2027
Tax Status
Taxed
Tax due 01 Aug 2027
Fuel Type
Petrol
Year
2012
Engine
1598cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a trend of reactive repairs rather than proactive care. While it passed its most recent February 2026 test at 71,054 miles, it failed just one day prior with six significant defects. These failures included mechanical issues such as a fractured offside rear coil spring, an insecure exhaust flexi, and electrical wiring faults. The fact that the car required multiple repairs immediately following a test failure suggests the owner only addresses mechanical faults when legally necessary to keep the vehicle on the road. At 71,054 miles over 14 years, this DS3 shows low mileage, averaging approximately 5,000 miles per year. This low usage often correlates with less drivetrain wear but can lead to older rubber components and seals degrading due to age. The gap between the December 2023 and February 2025 tests shows an accumulation of roughly 4,600 miles, consistent with this pattern. However, the persistent presence of an oil leak recorded in every test since 2022 indicates a long-term issue that remains unresolved despite the low distance driven. A buyer must inspect the exhaust system thoroughly, as the record shows broken hangers and a leaking flexi recurring between 2023 and 2026. The rear suspension requires close attention; corrosion noted on both springs in 2022 led to a physical fracture by 2026, suggesting the structural integrity of the springs is reaching its end life. Additionally, the binding nearside rear brake noted in 2023 should be checked to ensure the caliper is not seizing. Finally, the uneven wear on the offside front tyre noted in February 2026 suggests a potential alignment issue or a worn suspension bush that should be addressed to prevent rapid tyre degradation.
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EN12 AAF Key Findings

  • 5 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 13/02/2026
  • 71,054 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 1 historical MOT failure
  • 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
  • Recurring lighting items (4 mentions)

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

Updating live data

EN12 AAF MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 27 Sept 2026, 07:06
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2012 Citroen Ds3 (EN12 AAF) between December 2022 and February 2026.

The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.

The most recent test on 13 February 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.

Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (4 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (3 issues), Suspension (2 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Windscreen (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 13 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.

Recorded failure items include: “Offside Front Electrical wiring likely to drag on the ground (4.11 (a) (iii))”; “Front Exhaust system insecure Flexi (6.1.2 (a))”; “Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

EN12 AAF Mileage History

  1. 30/12/202259,857 mi
  2. 29/12/202365,054 mi+5,197 mi
  3. 18/02/202569,717 mi+4,663 mi
  4. 12/02/202671,047 mi+1,330 mi
  5. 13/02/202671,054 mi+7 mi

Average of roughly 3,584 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.

Technical Specifications

ULEZ Compliant

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MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
75
/ 100 · Good
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Good

This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.

✓ Valid MOT
✓ Taxed
✓ Good MOT pass rate (80%)
✗ 1 dangerous defects found recently
! Older vehicle
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Experian Provenance Data

Vehicle Provenance Investigation

9 Key Registers

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OUTSTANDING FINANCE

Experian Register

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INSURANCE WRITE-OFF

MIAFTR Register

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POLICE STOLEN (PNC)

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SALVAGE & AUCTION

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IMPORTED RECORD

Import Register

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EXPORTED MARKER

Export Register

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SCRAPPED RECORD

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CERTIFICATE OF DESTRUCTION

Statutory CoD

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V5C LOGBOOK & KEEPERS

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Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.

Buying Score
55/100
Risk Level
Medium
Medium
Est. Annual Cost
£1,200-£1,500
Mileage
Mileage of 71,054 miles is above average...

Our Verdict

This 2012 Citroen DS3 has a mixed MOT history with recent issues, making it a medium-risk purchase. Consider carefully unless you're prepared to address potential repairs.

Prioritise a thorough pre-purchase inspection to assess the extent of the reported issues. Focus on the exhaust system (flexi pipe, hangers), coil springs (fractured/brake binding), and electrical wiring. Verify service history for oil change records and tyre maintenance. Negotiate the price significantly due to the high mileage and recent failures. Be wary of potential hidden costs from repeated repairs.

As a 1.6L petrol vehicle, fuel economy is likely average (around 35-40 mpg). Tax would be £145 annually (2012 model, CO2 159g/km). Insurance group 13-15 is typical for this era. Maintenance costs could exceed £500 annually due to exhaust, suspension, and electrical repairs. Estimated annual running cost: £1,200-£1,500.

Inspect the offside front tyre for excessive wear and check for oil leaks under the engine. Test the exhaust system for looseness or damage, particularly the flexi pipe. Examine coil springs for fractures and ensure brake function is smooth. Check headlamp alignment and registration plate lighting. Look for rust on suspension components and verify that electrical wiring is secure and undamaged.

The 2012 DS3 has high mileage (71,054 miles) for its age, with a recent MOT failure highlighting multiple mechanical and safety concerns. While it passed an earlier test in 2025, recurring issues like tyre wear, oil leaks, and exhaust problems suggest ongoing maintenance needs. No model-wide reliability data is available to contextualise these findings.

No aggregate MOT data available for the Citroen DS3 model to assess broader reliability trends.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.

Data Sources

DVSA

Official MOT test logs & failure reasons

DVLA

Tax, registration & powertrain specs

Experian

Finance, stolen markers & total loss

AI Analysis

Historical fault & advisory patterns