2021 Dacia Duster diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2021 Dacia Duster diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2021 Dacia Duster diesel than on all cars registered in 2021.

• Headlight aim3.8× usual
  Dacia Duster

  5.7% All 2021 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 1.5% of all 2021 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.

• Headlights7× usual
  Dacia Duster

  2.8% All 2021 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.4% of all 2021 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 2021 Dacia Duster diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 Dacia Duster diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  27% 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
  14% 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
  11% 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
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Suspension
  2% 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
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults on the 2021 Dacia Duster diesel

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.

• Cambelt due (1.5 diesel)

  1.5 diesel

  The 1.5 Blue dCi diesel has a cambelt due every 90,000 miles or six years, about £799. The petrol engines use a chain.

  At the viewing: Ask for an invoice if it's due.

  Source: Auto Express: used Dacia Duster (Mk2, 2018 on) review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Dacia Duster diesel

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

1. Has the cambelt been changed?
2. Any recent work on the headlight aim? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the 2021 Dacia Duster diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 7× as often on the 2021 Dacia Duster diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?