2015 Dacia Logan diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Dacia Logan diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Dacia Logan diesel than on all cars registered in 2015.

• Ball joint2.9× usual
  Dacia Logan

  8.8% All 2015 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 1.7% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes18.7× usual
  Dacia Logan

  5.6% All 2015 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.1% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Horn24× usual
  Dacia Logan

  4.8% All 2015 cars

  0.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 0.2% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

• Number plate lights2.2× usual
  Dacia Logan

  7.7% All 2015 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1.1% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Headlight aim2.7× usual
  Dacia Logan

  6.4% All 2015 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 2.4% of all 2015 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.

Common 2015 Dacia Logan diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 Dacia Logan diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  34% 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
  28% 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
  25% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  21% 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2015 Dacia Logan diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2015 Dacia Logan diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 18.7× as often on the 2015 Dacia Logan diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the horn? (Flagged at MOT 24× as often on the 2015 Dacia Logan diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?