Used car guide · 2012–2026

Dacia Sandero common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Dacia Sandero, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 320,407 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2012 Dacia Sandero

Too few Dacia Sandero cars first registered in 2012 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Dacia Sandero as a whole.

15on the UK register at the end of 2025
Petrolmost common fuel (also diesel)
What to check on a 2012 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012

What usually goes wrong with a Dacia Sandero?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Cambelt due every six years

    Cars registered 2013–2020 · 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)

  • Rust on early cars

    Cars registered 2013–2015 · Early cars

    Some early cars have suffered from rust.

    At the viewing: Look along seams, panel edges, window seals and bolt holes for rust or rust stains.

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

  • Dim headlights

    Cars registered 2013–2020 · 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)

    Cars registered 2013–2020 · 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)

Common Dacia Sandero MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Headlight aim

    up to 4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 6.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes

    up to 17× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Horn

    up to 26× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    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.

  • Washers

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Braking performance

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013 and 2014.

    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.

Diesel

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes

    up to 26× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 7.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Braking performance

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 4.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Coil springs

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Headlight aim

    up to 4.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    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.

Dacia Sandero MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2021 Dacia Sandero did best (88% passed first time, 1 point above all 2021 cars) and the 2015 did worst (58%, 16 points below all 2015 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202391%92% -1498 (small sample)
202289%89% +013,723
202188%87% +115,982
202081%87% -627,001
201977%85% -837,169
201875%83% -837,147
201770%80% -1043,967
201665%77% -1242,895
201558%74% -1643,341
201456%70% -1437,349
201360%67% -721,335

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Dacia Sandero

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 4.1× as often on the Dacia Sandero as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 6.7× as often on the Dacia Sandero as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the washers? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the Dacia Sandero as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Dacia Sandero?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score