A limited-production hot hatch developed by Citroen Racing, with around 2,400 units built between 2011 and 2013. The DS3 Racing uses the same 1.6 THP Prince engine found in the Peugeot 207 GTi and MINI Cooper S, tuned here to 207 hp with a revised turbo, exhaust manifold, and ECU calibration. Carbon fibre aero components, 4-piston front brake calipers, 18-inch wheels, and a lowered/widened chassis set it apart from the regular DS3. The engine shares all the known EP6 family weaknesses, amplified by the higher output.· more· less
Rare and characterful hot hatchUpgraded brakes and chassis
EP6 engine timing chain issuesUnique parts nearly impossible to source
Buy if: You appreciate rare French hot hatches and can verify the timing chain has been addressed, the Takata airbag recall is completed, and no body damage has occurred to the irreplaceable carbon fibre parts.
Avoid if: You need low-maintenance ownership or cannot accept the risk of expensive engine repairs combined with extremely limited parts availability for the Racing-specific components.
Maintenance costs
€1,050 – €2,150/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€550 – €950 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€500 – €1,200 /yr
Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Maintenance costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Hydraulic tensioner bleeds off oil pressure overnight, causing chain rattle and eventual timing loss · more· less
The EP6CDTX engine in the DS3 Racing shares the well-documented timing chain weakness of the entire 1.6 THP family. The hydraulic tensioner loses oil pressure when the engine is off, allowing chain slack on cold start. This manifests as a rattle lasting 1-30 seconds after ignition that disappears once oil pressure builds. The higher 207 hp tune places additional stress on the chain and sprockets. Chain stretch and tensioner wear typically begin between 60,000 and 100,000 km, though some owners report issues as early as 40,000 km. If the chain skips a tooth, pistons contact valves and the engine is destroyed. PSA released an updated tensioner design. Full chain kit replacement (chain, tensioner, guides, VVT hub gear) at an independent specialist costs €1,200-1,800; at a Citroen dealer, €1,800-2,500. Catastrophic timing loss requiring engine rebuild or replacement can exceed €5,000.
Turbocharger and exhaust manifold failure
€1,000 - 2,8002 of 8
Twin-scroll exhaust manifold cracks and turbo housing develops hairline fractures from 60,000 km · more· less
The twin-scroll turbo setup on the DS3 Racing is prone to exhaust manifold cracking at the scroll split point. Hairline cracks in the turbo exhaust housing are very common after 60,000-80,000 km due to the brittle cast iron material and repeated thermal cycling. The higher boost pressure of the 207 hp tune accelerates this. The OEM plastic diverter valve is also a known weak point; its retaining ring becomes brittle from heat and can disintegrate, with fragments entering the compressor wheel and destroying the turbo. Aftermarket diverter valves from Forge Motorsport (around €150-200) are widely recommended as preventive replacements. A reconditioned turbo fitted by a specialist costs €1,000-1,500, while a new OEM unit with manifold runs €1,800-2,800.
High-pressure fuel pump failure
€600 - 1,5003 of 8
Camshaft-driven HPFP fails causing sudden power loss, limp mode, and rough running · more· less
The camshaft-driven high-pressure fuel pump is a documented weak point across the EP6 engine family. PSA originally classified this as a lifetime component, but in practice, failures commonly occur between 80,000 and 130,000 km. Symptoms include sudden power loss during acceleration, engine management light, limp mode, and rough idle. The pump cam follower also wears and can damage the camshaft lobe. OEM replacement pump costs €400-600 for the part. Total replacement at a specialist runs €600-900; at a Citroen dealer, €1,000-1,500. PSA updated the pump design on later production units.
Intake valve carbon buildup
€400 - 8004 of 8
Direct injection causes heavy carbon deposits on intake valves, gradually reducing power by up to 20% · more· less
The direct injection system sprays fuel directly into the combustion chamber, bypassing the intake valves. Without fuel wash, carbon residue from crankcase ventilation accumulates on the valve backs. The higher-output Racing engine with its revised PCV system is reported to vent more oil vapor than the standard 155 hp version, potentially accelerating deposits. Carbon buildup is undetectable via OBD diagnostics and causes rough idle, hesitation, increased fuel consumption, and progressive power loss. Walnut shell blasting is the most effective cleaning method, costing €400-800 at a specialist. Forum reports indicate this treatment can restore noticeable power, with one owner claiming 21 hp gained after decarbonizing a THP engine. Buildup becomes significant every 50,000-60,000 km.
Thermostat housing and coolant leak
€300 - 7005 of 8
Plastic thermostat housing cracks from heat cycling, causing coolant loss and potential overheating · more· less
The EP6 engine uses a combined electronic thermostat and sensor housing made of plastic. Heat cycling causes the housing to crack, leading to coolant loss. If not caught early, overheating can warp the cylinder head or damage the head gasket. The housing is located between the cylinder head and air filter box, making early leak detection difficult. The combined thermostat/sensor unit costs €100-200 for the part, with €150-300 labor. Specialist recommendation is preventive replacement every 80,000 km or 5 years. Additionally, the oil filter cooler gasket can also leak coolant on these engines. Total repair runs €300-500 independently, €500-700 at a dealer.
Paint corrosion under door mirrors
€300 - 8006 of 8
Design flaw causes paint bubbling and rust on doors beneath mirror bases on all DS3 models · more· less
All DS3 models suffer from a design defect where no rubber gasket separates the mirror base from the door panel. Moisture gets trapped between the two surfaces, causing galvanic corrosion that leads to paint bubbling, flaking, and eventually rust. This is a cosmetic issue rather than structural, but on the limited-edition Racing with its distinctive two-tone paint scheme, the visual impact is significant. Repairs involve stripping back to bare metal, treating corrosion, and repainting. Professional repair costs €150-400 per door. On a DS3 Racing, matching the specific white-grey or black-orange color scheme adds complexity and cost. Even newer DS3s with low mileage can show this defect.
Carbon fibre aero component damage
€500 - 2,0007 of 8
Racing-specific carbon fibre splitter, arches, and diffuser are extremely difficult to source if damaged · more· less
The DS3 Racing features genuine carbon fibre on the front splitter, grille surround, wheel arch extensions, and rear diffuser. These parts are largely discontinued by Citroen and are described by buying guides as 'pricey and darned near impossible to source.' If a splitter is cracked by a speed bump or kerb, or an arch extension is damaged in a parking incident, repair or replacement can be extremely difficult. Some motorsport suppliers offer fiberglass reproductions, but genuine carbon replacements are effectively unavailable. A single carbon stripe/emblem was listed at over €700. The low ground clearance of the Racing (15 mm lower than standard) makes the front splitter particularly vulnerable.
Ignition coil and spark plug failure
€150 - 4008 of 8
Coil packs fail prematurely causing misfires, rough running, and engine management warnings · more· less
Ignition coil failures are common across all 1.6 THP applications. The higher compression and boost of the Racing tune may accelerate coil degradation. Typical fault codes include P1337, P1339, and P1340. Specialist guidance recommends replacing spark plugs every 15,000-20,000 km rather than the factory 40,000-60,000 km interval. A full set of four coil packs and spark plugs costs €100-200 in parts plus €50-150 in labor. In some cases, misfires persist after coil replacement due to wiring harness deterioration near the engine, adding diagnostic time.
Shares all EP6 engine weaknesses, compounded by rare and expensive unique parts
The DS3 Racing carries the full burden of the 1.6 THP Prince engine's known issues: timing chain tensioner, turbo housing cracks, high-pressure fuel pump, and carbon buildup. The higher 207 hp tune adds stress to components already operating near their limits. On top of this, the Racing-specific carbon fibre bodywork, 4-piston brake calipers, and limited production run mean replacement parts are extremely scarce. Some Racing examples have required engine replacements within the first few thousand miles. Thorough maintenance with short oil change intervals (every 10,000 km maximum, ideally 5,000-7,000 km) and preemptive timing chain replacement are essential. Verify the engine number matches the car's history, as some Racings have had replacement engines fitted.
Service history
Complete Citroen dealer or specialist records essential. Verify oil changes at maximum 10,000 km intervals with correct 5W-30 specification oil.
Tires
Check tread depth, age (date codes), and uneven wear patterns. The Racing uses 215/40R18 tires which are an uncommon size.
Cold start
Must start engine completely cold. Listen carefully for any rattling or chain noise in the first 30 seconds.
Test drive
Minimum 20 minutes including motorway speeds. Check for smooth power delivery and absence of engine management light.
Specific for this vehicle
Cold start timing chain rattle
Start engine completely cold and listen for rattling in first 5-30 seconds. Any audible chain noise indicates the tensioner has weakened and immediate replacement is needed.
Verify engine number matches car history
Some DS3 Racings have had replacement engines fitted under warranty. Check the engine number against service records and verify no undisclosed swap has occurred.
Inspect carbon fibre components carefully
Check front splitter, grille surround, wheel arch extensions, and rear diffuser for cracks, chips, or repairs. These parts are nearly impossible to replace with genuine items.
+ 5 more checksShow less
Verify Takata airbag recall completion
All DS3 models 2009-2019 are affected by the critical Takata airbag stop-drive recall. Verify with Citroen using VIN before purchase.
Test turbo boost response
Accelerate firmly in 2nd and 3rd gear from 2,000 rpm. Power should build smoothly to full boost. Blue or white exhaust smoke indicates turbo seal failure.
Check paint under both door mirrors
Look for bubbling, flaking, or rust on both door panels beneath the mirror bases. This is a known design defect on all DS3 models.
Run OBD2 diagnostic scan
Check for stored and pending fault codes. Look for misfire codes (P1337, P1339, P1340) and camshaft position codes (P000A, P000B, P0013).
Check coolant level and oil consumption
Low coolant suggests thermostat housing leak. Ask about oil top-up frequency. Consumption over 1 litre per 4,000 km suggests valve seal or ring wear.
Con-rod bearing shells manufactured out of specification (May-August 2010)Verify completed
High pressure fuel rail pipes not correctly torqued (fire risk)Verify completed
Wheel bolts not torqued to specification (risk of wheel detachment)Verify completed
Bonnet lock fixing bolts not fully secureVerify completed
ABS/ESP hydraulic block may not conform to specificationVerify completed
The Takata airbag recall is critical. Stellantis issued a stop-drive notice for affected DS3 models after a fatal incident in France involving a defective airbag inflator. Contact Citroen with the VIN to verify all recalls have been completed before purchasing. The DS3 has been subject to more than 20 separate recalls across its production life.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (2 years)Expired on all DS3 Racing models
Rust perforation warranty (12 years)Expired on all 2011-2013 production
Takata airbag recallFree repair regardless of age or mileage
All DS3 Racing models are well outside their original 2-year Citroen factory warranty and the 12-year rust perforation warranty. The Takata airbag replacement is free through any Citroen dealer regardless of the car's age. No widely available extended warranty programs exist specifically for the DS3 Racing.
Sources: Research draws on model-specific owner forums and owner communities, recall information from official authorities, German automotive press, and multiple workshop cost references cross-checked against each other.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.
