Used Citroen DS3 hatchback 2009-2016 reliability

The youthful appeal and fun-to-drive nature of the Citroen DS3 mean it is popular with younger buyers, so check for the kind of scraped wheels and scratched body panels that can result from having an inexperienced driver behind the wheel.

The interior trim can also be a little flaky so ensure everything feels solid and that the electrics, including the windows, work as Citroen intended.

The DS3 has been recalled more times than most (it’s comfortably into double figures), with possible problems relating to the ABS braking system, bonnet catches, engine cut outs and loose wheel bolts all among the offending items. This shouldn’t put you off buying a DS3, especially as recalls are generally limited to small batches for each problem, but it will be worth contacting a Citroen dealer and giving them a car’s registration to check all the necessary work has been carried out.

While there are exceptions to the rule where customers have experienced the odd expensive problem, DS3s on the whole are faring well as far as common problems are concerned. The most significant issue to note is that pre-2014 versions of the 1.6 THP engine can suffer from stretched timing chains and excessive oil consumption, so if you’re looking at one of these make sure the engine doesn’t rattle at idle or stutter when you accelerate.

Bluetooth phone connections can also be temperamental, so try hooking up your phone as part of your inspection.

In our 2022 What Car? Reliability Survey, Citroen ranked 11th out of 32 manufacturers featured.