2013 Dacia Duster petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Dacia Duster petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Dacia Duster petrol than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Rigid brake pipes7.1× usual
  Dacia Duster

  29.3% All 2013 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 0.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Exhaust system4.2× usual
  Dacia Duster

  16.8% All 2013 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 1.2% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Coil springs2.4× usual
  Dacia Duster

  17.7% All 2013 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 3.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)8.8× usual
  Dacia Duster

  7% All 2013 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 0.8% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints3.2× usual
  Dacia Duster

  9% All 2013 cars

  2.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 1.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Common 2013 Dacia Duster petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Dacia Duster petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  47% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  37% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  32% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Lights and electrics
  27% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Exhaust and emissions
  20% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  12% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2013 Dacia Duster petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Oil burning (1.2 TCe / DIG-T petrol)

  1.2 TCe / DIG-T turbo petrol

  The 1.2 turbo petrol shared by Renault and Nissan (TCe or DIG-T) can burn oil, and some owners have needed a replacement engine. Running low on oil makes it worse.

  At the viewing: Check the oil level on the dipstick, look for blue smoke from the exhaust, and ask how often it needs topping up. It should be checked every 1,000–2,000 miles.

  Source: Auto Express: used Renault Kadjar (2015 on) review, Car Mechanics: buying and owning the Nissan Qashqai J11 (2013-2021)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Dacia Duster petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. How often does it need oil between services, and has there been any engine work?
2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 7.1× as often on the 2013 Dacia Duster petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 4.2× as often on the 2013 Dacia Duster petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2013 Dacia Duster petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?