2017 Dacia Logan diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Dacia Logan diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Dacia Logan diesel than on all cars registered in 2017.

• Headlight aim4.5× usual
  Dacia Logan

  8.1% All 2017 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.1%, against 1.8% of all 2017 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.

• Number plate lights3.3× usual
  Dacia Logan

  6.6% All 2017 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.6% of all 2017 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.

• Anti-roll bar links31× usual
  Dacia Logan

  3.1% All 2017 cars

  0.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0% of all 2017 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.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes14.5× usual
  Dacia Logan

  2.9% All 2017 cars

  0.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0% of all 2017 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.

• Headlights3.2× usual
  Dacia Logan

  3.5% All 2017 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1% of all 2017 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 2017 Dacia Logan diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 Dacia Logan diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  28% 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
  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.

• Brakes
  16% 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
  13% 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.

• 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 2017 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 headlight aim? (Flagged at MOT 4.5× as often on the 2017 Dacia Logan diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2017 Dacia Logan diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar links? (Flagged at MOT 31× as often on the 2017 Dacia Logan diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?