2018 Dacia Logan diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Dacia Logan diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Dacia Logan diesel than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Headlight aim5.4× usual
  Dacia Logan

  8.6% All 2018 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 1.6% of all 2018 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 lights4.6× usual
  Dacia Logan

  6.5% All 2018 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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.

• Brake lights4.5× usual
  Dacia Logan

  3.6% All 2018 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.6% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Headlights3.6× usual
  Dacia Logan

  3.6% All 2018 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 0.9% of all 2018 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.

• Washers2.6× usual
  Dacia Logan

  3.6% All 2018 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.4% of all 2018 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.

Common 2018 Dacia Logan diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Dacia Logan diesel 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.

• Lights and electrics
  22% 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
  19% 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.

• 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
  2% 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 2018 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 5.4× as often on the 2018 Dacia Logan diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the 2018 Dacia Logan diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 4.5× as often on the 2018 Dacia Logan diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?