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This car is subject to a 'stop-drive' recall issued by Citroen/DS's parent company Stellantis in June 2025. This is due to a fault that can cause the airbags to explode in a dangerous manner in the event of a collision, causing injury or even death. A stop-drive recall means you must not drive the car under any circumstances. While the majority of cars affected have been repaired, Which? urges buyers to check the recall status on any model of this car they are thinking of buying by getting the car’s unique VIN number and checking it with Stellantis’ online recall service.

CitroenDS3 (2010-2019)

Used only
Small
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid

£2,731Typical price

Test score

where to buy or sell

The version of this car that we've reviewed might not be available to buy through all listed retailer links. For more options, see our guides on where to buy a car and how to sell a car.

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The DS3 was Citroën's first foray into the popular premium small car market up against the likes of the Mini and Audi A1. So has the DS3 three-door hatchback. Read our review to see how this car fared in our tests, and make sure that you check out the Safety Alert for details of a serious recall on this car.

pros

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cons

What's included?

What is it?
What's it great at?
Airbag recall information
What's it like to drive?
How reliable is the Citroen DS3 (2010-2019)?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Should I buy it?

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KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Dec 2025Last checked by Which?
Feb 2010First reviewed by Which?
Feb 2010Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

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How we test cars

3 Feb 2026

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

Driving performance

Overall
Acceleration
Gearbox and transmission
Brakes

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Boot space
Seat space

Euro NCAP

Safety kit

Car reliability 10-15 years

How we test car reliability 10-15 years

How reliable this car is, based on the real life feedback of current owners as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Petrol reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Small
Luxury	No
Convertible	No
Availability	Used only
Used price	£2,731 - £10,254
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Tested fuel efficiency	46.6 to 61.4mpg
Length	3,948mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,715mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,018 to 2,040mm
Height	1,458mm
Driver max height
Second-row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	10.9 m
On sale date	15 February 2010
Lowest pence-per-mile cost	£10.83

Latest tested engine
Engine and trim name	1.4 (95) petrol 3-dr
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	1.4-litre (95hp)
Transmission	5-speed manual
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	50 litres
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	13.36p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£69
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
Braked tow load (KG)	1150kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	570kg
Engine test date	13 April 2010
Test programme	2001-2012

Engine two
Engine and trim name	1.6 Hdi 99g SoChic
Fuel	Diesel
Capacity and power	1.6-litre (92hp)
Transmission	6-speed robotic manual (automatic)
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	45 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	10.83p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£66
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Medium
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	121
Official Euro emission level	Euro 5
Braked tow load (KG)	1150kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	570kg
Engine test date	29 April 2013
Car test programme	2012-2016

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All new and used car advice

CitroenDS3 (2010-2019)

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pros

cons

What's included?

How we test cars

Ease of driving

Driving performance

Comfort and practicality

Euro NCAP

Safety kit

Car reliability 10-15 years

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Brand reliability 10-15 years

How this product's score compares with other new and used cars we've tested

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Volkswagen

Seat

Mini

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CitroenDS3 (2010-2019)

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cons

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Test results

Specifications

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