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Common problems by part

DS DS5 steering problems

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 4,819 MOT tests · Updated

At 10 years, 3.7 in 100 MOT tests of the DS DS5 failed on steering, against 2.1 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 4,819 MOT tests) [1].

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  • Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 180 MOT tests with a fail
  • When it starts: clear of 1.2 times from 8 years and at every older age seen
  • Most common fail: Steering track rod end: ball joint play, 3.1 per 100 MOT tests

Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.

What the MOT tests show

What we know

3.7 fails per 100 MOT tests at 10 years, against 2.1 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 10 (all test years). That is about average.

Why it matters

A steering fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.

What to check

With the engine running, turn the wheel lock to lock: listen for knocks or groans and feel for play at the straight-ahead position. On the drive the car should not wander.

DS DS5 steering fails by age

DS DS5 steering fails per 100 MOT tests by ageSolid line: the DS DS5. Dashed line: all cars the same age. The table below lists every value.0247 years: 1.1 per 100 (all cars 0.8), 1,772 MOT tests78 years: 1.9 per 100 (all cars 1.2), 2,744 MOT tests89 years: 2.8 per 100 (all cars 1.8), 4,295 MOT tests910 years: 3.7 per 100 (all cars 2.1), 4,819 MOT tests1011 years: 4.5 per 100 (all cars 2.5), 3,868 MOT tests1112 years: 4.4 per 100 (all cars 2.8), 2,667 MOT tests12
Fails per 100 MOT tests by age, all first-use years pooled. DS DS5 All class 4 vehicles the same age
AgeMOT testsFails per 100All class 4 vehicles the same age
71,7721.10.8
82,7441.91.2
94,2952.81.8
104,8193.72.1
113,8684.52.5
122,6674.42.8

All first-use years of the DS DS5 pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years.

What fails in the steering at 10 years

Fails

  • Steering track rod end: ball joint play: 3.1 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 1.3. Replace track rod end: estimated £54–£128 (0.5–1 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £15–£50) Track rod end ball joint has excessive play MOT fail

Advisories (not fails)

Replace track rod end cost

Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.

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  • Model risks for this year and fuel
  • What similar cars did at their next MOT
  • Repairs ahead
  • Viewing checklist

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How to check on a test drive

With the engine running, turn the wheel lock to lock: listen for knocks or groans and feel for play at the straight-ahead position. On the drive the car should not wander.

The most common advisory here in MOT records: Track rod end: ball joint has slight play.

Check one DS DS5, not the average

The figures here describe DS DS5 cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.

  • Check a DS DS5's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
  • MOT advisory checker Paste an advisory or defect to read DVSA's wording, its grade and what tends to happen at the next MOT.

Other DS DS5 problems

Steering on rival models

Questions people ask

Does the DS DS5 have more steering problems than other cars?

3.7 in 100 MOT tests at 10 years, against 2.1 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 4,819 MOT tests).

How common are DS DS5 steering problems?

3.7 in 100 MOT tests at 10 years failed on steering, against 2.1 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 4,819 MOT tests).

What is the most common DS DS5 steering fail?

3.1 in 100 MOT tests at 10 years: Steering track rod end: ball joint play (147 MOT tests with it).

At what age do DS DS5 steering fails start?

8 years: from then on the rate stays clear of 1.2 times all class 4 vehicles the same age at every age seen, 18,393 MOT tests.

Sources

  1. Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 20,165 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
  2. Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.

Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare