2012 Citroen DS3 1.6L Petrol · LL62 NXX
2012 Citroen DS3 (1.6L, petrol). First registered 01 Nov 2012. Recorded mileage 69,543 miles. MOT valid until 07 Jul 2027. Taxed until 01 Nov 2026. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- CITROEN DS3
- Year / Origin
- 2012 · Wimbledon (South London)
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Valid until 07 Jul 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Nov 2026)
- Recorded Mileage
- 69,543 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- ULEZ Compliant (Euro 4+)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.6L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Outstanding Safety Recall Notice
Action RequiredOfficial DVSA telemetry indicates this vehicle has an unaddressed manufacturer safety recall. Remedial repairs are legally required to be carried out 100% free of charge by an authorised main dealer.
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
LL62 NXX Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 09/07/2026
- 69,543 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
LL62 NXX MOT History
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 (LL62 NXX) between February 2024 and July 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 09 July 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (6 issues), Suspension (5 issues), Steering (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 10 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: “Front Inner Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn both (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))”; “Offside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (”.
LL62 NXX Mileage History
- 15/02/202458,986 mi
- 15/02/202458,988 mi+2 mi
- 29/04/202564,187 mi+5,199 mi
- 07/05/202564,191 mi+4 mi
- 09/07/202669,543 mi+5,352 mi
Average of roughly 4,406 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Citroën Citroën DS3
Our database tracks 3 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Average
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.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed with caution and a thorough mech
When viewing this vehicle, prioritize a close inspection of the front end. The MOT history shows that suspension arm bushes and steering ball joints have been points of failure or advisory in the past. Ensure that the repairs noted in the 2024 and 2025 failures (specifically the suspension arms and the nearside drive shaft boot) have been addressed with quality parts.
Ask the seller for evidence of any recent work related to the suspension or drivetrain. Because the 2025 failure involved a perishing tyre and worn suspension components, you should check the current condition of all four tyres and look for any signs of uneven wear which could indicate alignment issues following previous repairs.
The 1598cc petrol engine is a standard unit for this model, typically placing it in a moderate insurance group. Fuel economy for a DS3 of this age and engine size is generally average for a small hatchback, though actual figures will depend on driving style and maintenance.
Maintenance costs for this Citroen may be influenced by the frequency of suspension-related repairs seen in the MOT history. Expect typical servicing costs for a petrol hatchback, but budget for potential replacement of bushes, ball joints, or CV boots as these have appeared as recurring issues in the recent records.
Focus heavily on the front suspension and steering. The 2024 MOT failure specifically noted excessive play in the offside front steering linkage ball joint and worn suspension arm bushes. Even though these were passed after repair, a test drive to check for knocks or knocks over bumps is essential.
Additionally, inspect the drive shaft CV boots. The 2024 and 2025 records indicate issues with both the offside and nearside front CV boots (split or severely deteriorated). Check that these are intact and not leaking grease, as this is a documented recurring issue for this specific vehicle.
This 2012 black Citroen DS3 with the 1.6L petrol engine has covered 69,543 miles. The MOT history reveals a pattern of wear in the front suspension and drive shaft area, with failures recorded in both 2024 and 2025. Although the July 2026 test showed no defects, the vehicle has a history of needing repairs to bushings, ball joints, and CV boots.
No aggregate reliability data is available for this specific Citroen DS3 model to provide a comparative benchmark.
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
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CITROEN DS3 Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2012 model year cars.
- Timing Chain Stretch (THP & VTi Engines)Serious
The 1.6-litre "Prince" petrol engines are notorious for timing chain tensioner failure and chain stretch, which can lead to catastrophic engine damage.
- High Oil ConsumptionModerate
The petrol engines are known to consume significant amounts of oil (up to 1L per 1,000 miles), which can lead to low oil pressure and accelerated engine wear.
- High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) FailureSerious
The high-pressure fuel pump on THP models is a common failure point, leading to poor running or a non-start condition.
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