2019 Dacia Logan diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 Dacia Logan diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2019 Dacia Logan diesel than on all cars registered in 2019.

• Headlight aim4.9× usual
  Dacia Logan

  7.4% All 2019 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.4%, against 1.5% of all 2019 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.

• Headlights5.1× usual
  Dacia Logan

  4.1% All 2019 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 0.8% of all 2019 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.

• Number plate lights3.9× usual
  Dacia Logan

  4.3% All 2019 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.4% of all 2019 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.

• Engine warning light4.7× usual
  Dacia Logan

  3.8% All 2019 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 0.8% of all 2019 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints6.8× usual
  Dacia Logan

  3.4% All 2019 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.2% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Common 2019 Dacia Logan diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2019 Dacia Logan diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  26% 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
  20% 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
  17% 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
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Suspension
  7% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  3% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2019 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 4.9× as often on the 2019 Dacia Logan diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 5.1× as often on the 2019 Dacia Logan diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2019 Dacia Logan diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?