DS 3 running costs and reliability

2022 onwards (change model)

Running costs rating: 3.5 out of 53.5

DS 3 E-Tense (2023): tailgate and badges, red paint

Written by Parkers Published: 12 July 2023 Updated: 10 October 2023

Miles per pound (mpp) ⓘ

Low figures relate to the least economical version; high to the most economical. Based on WLTP combined fuel economy for versions of this car made since September 2017 only, and typical current fuel or electricity costs.

Petrol engines	6.3 - 8.0 mpp

What is miles per pound?

Fuel economy ⓘ

Low figures relate to the least economical version; high to the most economical. Based on WLTP combined fuel economy for versions of this car made since September 2017 only.

Petrol engines	42.8 - 54.3 mpg

View mpg & specs for any version

Reasonably efficient petrol engines
No diesel, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid available
For lower running costs, get the E-Tense

What are the running costs?

The DS 3 has two petrol engines available. Both engines claim in the high 40s for mpg, with the 101hp manual more efficient by a nose. However this engine is limited to the cheapest trim level, so you may prefer to choose your DS 3 by the equipment levels rather than the engine.

Over a week with a 130hp automatic, we averaged an indicated 44mpg, which is respectable if not particularly noteworthy. The equivalent Volkswagen Taigo returned closer to 50mpg over a similar week’s driving. The automatic gearbox is particularly good on the motorway, as it has a very long top gear which keeps the engine revs low – great for economy.

View detailed DS 3 mpg and CO2 figures on our specs pages

CO2 emissions again from the lack of any hybridisation, and the DS 3 sits in the 30-32% bands for company car tax. The cheapest DS 3 to run will undoubtedly be the all-electric DS 3 E-Tense, which we’ve covered separately here.

Servicing and warranty

The DS 3 comes with a boggo three-year/60,000 mile warranty. That’s matched by almost all of its European rivals, though the Hyundai Bayon and Kia Stonic offer five and seven years of cover respectively, and the Toyota C-HR up to ten.

Service costs are reasonable, and DS is keen that it should offer customers a premium experience – offering to do things like pick your car up for you rather than force you to wait at a dealership. Fixed-price service packages are also available.

Reliability

The DS 3 is functionally identical to the DS 3 Crossback (just with fewer letters on the boot). As a result, it’s been around since 2019, and uses proven technology that’s commonplace across the Stellantis group. This platform has been subject to several recalls, however, and the old Crossback was subject to four of those. This new model hasn’t had any so far.

We suffered some electrical issues with our test car, with both the infotainment and the driver information screens blacking out on us twice in the middle of a drive. This of course leaves you with no navigation – which is a pain – but also no speedometer or warning lights, which is a bit more dangerous.