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2012 Citroen DS3 1.6L Petrol · YR12 MHO

YR12 MHO

2012 Citroen DS3 (1.6L, petrol). First registered 01 Mar 2012. Recorded mileage 110,650 miles. MOT valid until 12 Apr 2027. Taxed until 01 May 2027.

Make & Model
CITROEN DS3
Year / Origin
2012 · Sheffield
Safety Recall
Unknown
MOT Status
Valid until 12 Apr 2027
Road Tax
Taxed (01 May 2027)
Recorded Mileage
110,650 mi
ULEZ Compliance
ULEZ Compliant (Euro 4+)
Fuel & Engine
PETROL · 1.6L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Valid
Valid until 12 Apr 2027
Tax Status
Taxed
Tax due 01 May 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 most recent MOT test on 25 March 2026 shows a pass, but the vehicle's maintenance trend appears to be fluctuating with significant safety concerns appearing in the immediate lead-up to that test. The 24 March 2026 failure was particularly severe, resulting in a dangerous classification for both nearside and offside rear brake pads which were recorded at less than 1.5 mm thick. The tester also identified a major fault regarding excessive play in the offside front track rod end ball joint. While the vehicle passed the following day, the record shows an ongoing issue with a front oil leak and an offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit. The vehicle has covered 110,650 miles over its 14-year lifespan, averaging approximately 7,900 miles per year. This mileage is consistent with typical usage for a vehicle of this age. The MOT records provided span from February 2024 to March 2026, showing annual testing intervals. There are no significant gaps in the recorded history during this period, though the frequency of failures suggests that mechanical components are reaching the end of their service life. A buyer should conduct a thorough physical inspection of the braking system and suspension components. The record shows recurring issues with brake discs being worn, pitted, or scored, with advisories appearing in February 2024, April 2025, and again in the March 2026 tests. The presence of a dangerous brake pad reading in March 2026 indicates that consumable wear has previously been allowed to reach critical levels. The suspension requires scrutiny, specifically regarding the offside rear coil spring which was flagged for corrosion in April 2025, and the nearside front shock absorber which exhibited a serious fluid leak during the April 2025 failure. The front oil leak noted in March 2026 warrants investigation to determine the source and whether it is a minor seal weep or a more significant leak. Given the previous failure of the track rod end and the advisory regarding tyre wear, the steering geometry and front-end consumables should be checked for alignment and remaining tread depth. buying_score: 42 risk_level: High.
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YR12 MHO Key Findings

  • 5 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 25/03/2026
  • 110,650 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 2 historical MOT failures
  • 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
  • Recurring brakes items (9 mentions)

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

Updating live data

YR12 MHO MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 29 Aug 2026, 16:22
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 (YR12 MHO) between February 2024 and March 2026.

The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.

The most recent test on 25 March 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: Brakes (9 issues), Suspension (3 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Lighting (1 issue), Steering (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 11 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 Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))”; “Nearside Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))”; “Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

YR12 MHO Mileage History

  1. 19/02/2024105,066 mi
  2. 04/04/2025108,558 mi+3,492 mi
  3. 14/04/2025108,560 mi+2 mi
  4. 24/03/2026110,650 mi+2,090 mi
  5. 25/03/2026110,650 mi

Average of roughly 2,666 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.

Technical Specifications

ULEZ Compliant

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MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
55
/ 100 · Below Average
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Below 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.

✓ Valid MOT
✓ Taxed
! Average MOT pass rate (60%)
✗ 2 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
62/100
Risk Level
Medium
Medium
Est. Annual Cost
£1,100-£1,400
Mileage
The recorded mileage of 110,650 is consi...

Our Verdict

Proceed with caution due to a pattern of recent MOT failures. While the most recent test was a pass, the vehicle has required repairs to clear defects in both 2025 and 2026.

When inspecting this specific DS3, you should ask the seller for documentation regarding the repairs made following the MOT failures in March 2026 and April 2025. Since the failures themselves recorded 'no defects' in the summary provided, you must verify exactly what components were replaced to achieve the subsequent passes.

Check the service history to see if the 1598cc petrol engine has had regular oil changes, as high-mileage small-capacity engines can be sensitive to maintenance gaps. Given the 110,650 mileage, ensure the timing belt (cambelt) and water pump have been replaced according to manufacturer intervals, as this is a critical maintenance item for this engine type.

Running costs for this 1.6L petrol DS3 will be moderate. As a 2012 model, the tax band will depend on the specific CO2 emissions, but expect typical small-hatchback rates. Insurance groups for DS3 models vary widely based on engine power, so obtain a quote for this specific registration before purchasing.

Maintenance costs should be budgeted for higher than average due to the vehicle's age and mileage. Expect more frequent requirements for consumables such as brake pads, tyres, and suspension components, which are common wear items on this model.

Focus your inspection on the areas that typically cause MOT failures in older Citroen models, even though the specific defect types were not detailed in these records. Pay close attention to the suspension, tyres, and braking system, as these are common culprits in MOT failures.

Because this vehicle has failed its MOT twice in the last two years (2025 and 2026), inspect the underside for signs of corrosion or leaks. Check the engine bay for any signs of fluid weeping and listen for any unusual noises from the 1598cc engine during a test drive to ensure the recent MOT passes reflect mechanical stability.

This 2012 white Citroen DS3 with the 1.6L petrol engine has covered 110,650 miles as of its last test. The MOT history shows a recurring pattern where the vehicle fails its initial test only to pass shortly after, specifically in April 2025 and March 2026. The mileage is consistent with a vehicle that has been driven regularly over its 14-year lifespan.

No aggregate reliability data is available for this specific Citroen DS3 model to provide a statistical comparison.

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