2018 Dacia Sandero diesel: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Headlight aim4.7× usual
  Dacia Sandero

  7.6% All 2018 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.6%, 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.

• Headlights4× usual
  Dacia Sandero

  4% All 2018 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, 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.

• Braking performance3.3× usual
  Dacia Sandero

  3.9% All 2018 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.4% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes24× usual
  Dacia Sandero

  2.4% All 2018 cars

  0.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0% of all 2018 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.

• Washers2.7× usual
  Dacia Sandero

  3.8% All 2018 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, 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 Sandero diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Dacia Sandero diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  33% 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
  22% 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
  18% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  10% 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
  9% 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.

Known faults on the 2018 Dacia Sandero 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 every six years

  1.2 petrol and 1.5 dCi diesel

  The 1.2 petrol’s cambelt is due every six years or 72,000 miles, and the 1.5 dCi diesel’s every six years or 90,000 miles. The 0.9 TCe uses a chain.

  At the viewing: Ask for an invoice showing the cambelt was changed on time.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Dacia Sandero buying guide (2013 on)

• Dim headlights

  All engines

  Some owners find the headlights dim.

  At the viewing: Check the lights on dipped and main beam.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Dacia Sandero buying guide (2013 on)

• Damaged boot sill (Stepway)

  Stepway

  The Stepway’s high boot sill gets scuffed and damaged by heavy loads.

  At the viewing: Look at the boot sill for damage.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Dacia Sandero buying guide (2013 on)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Dacia Sandero 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, and is there an invoice?
2. Any recent work on the headlight aim? (Flagged at MOT 4.7× as often on the 2018 Dacia Sandero diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2018 Dacia Sandero diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2018 Dacia Sandero diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?