2016 Dacia Duster petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Dacia Duster petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Dacia Duster petrol than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Headlight aim2.6× usual
  Dacia Duster

  5.4% All 2016 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 2.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

• Wipers1.8× usual
  Dacia Duster

  4.8% All 2016 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.6% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

• Exhaust system2.2× usual
  Dacia Duster

  3.8% All 2016 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.4% of all 2016 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.

• Washers2.2× usual
  Dacia Duster

  3.8% All 2016 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.7% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

• Headlights2.4× usual
  Dacia Duster

  3.4% All 2016 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.3% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Common 2016 Dacia Duster petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Dacia Duster petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  29% 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.

• Brakes
  23% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  18% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  10% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Suspension
  9% 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  4% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2016 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 2016 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 headlight aim? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2016 Dacia Duster petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2016 Dacia Duster petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2016 Dacia Duster petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?