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Dacia reliability and common MOT problems by model

Dacia shows a 16.9% combined MOT failure rate across 212,621 tests in Motintel data. Duster has one of the lower high-confidence rates at 15.2%. Sandero deserves extra checking at 18.1%.

Data sources: DVSA MOT records, official recall records, and MOT fault wording snapshots (2026-04-27, 2026-04-29, rfr_codes_2025-05-12, failure items 2023). Search-indexed model pages must clear 20,000 MOT tests and 10,000 vehicles.

Most reliable Dacia models in MOT data

#	Model	MOT failure rate	Tests	Vehicles
1	Dacia Duster	15.2%	72,219 tests	59,688 vehicles
2	Dacia Sandero	18.1%	118,979 tests	95,621 vehicles

Dacia models with the highest MOT failure rates

#	Model	MOT failure rate	Tests	Vehicles
1	Dacia Sandero	18.1%	118,979 tests	95,621 vehicles
2	Dacia Duster	15.2%	72,219 tests	59,688 vehicles

Common Dacia MOT problem areas

#	Problem area	MOT notes	Models affected	What to check	High-rate examples
1	Corrosion and structure	20,232 MOT notes	2 models	Inspect sills, subframes, suspension mounts, brake pipes, and previous welding or rust repairs.	Dacia Duster, Dacia Sandero
2	Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors	16,221 MOT notes	2 models	Check the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, chips, cracks, and whether the driver's view is clear.	Dacia Sandero, Dacia Duster
3	Suspension and steering	12,407 MOT notes	2 models	Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and ask whether worn joints or bushes have been replaced.	Dacia Duster, Dacia Sandero
4	Lights and electrical	8,454 MOT notes	2 models	Test every exterior light, warning lamp, horn, washer, and basic electrical function before buying.	Dacia Duster, Dacia Sandero
5	Emissions, engine, and exhaust	4,254 MOT notes	2 models	Check cold starts, exhaust smoke, warning lights, service history, and recent emissions repairs.	Dacia Sandero, Dacia Duster
6	Tyres and wheels	3,829 MOT notes	2 models	Look for matching tyres, legal tread, sidewall damage, wheel damage, and uneven wear.	Dacia Duster, Dacia Sandero

All Dacia model reports

Model	MOT tests	Vehicles	Failure rate
Sandero	118,979	95,621	18.1%
Duster	72,219	59,688	15.2%
Logan limited data	18,827	14,686	17.4%
Duster Essential Tce 4x2 limited data	1,489	1,322	8.6%
Sandero Stepway Se Twenty Tce limited data	1,107	1,018	6.5%

Models with limited data (fewer than 20,000 tests or 10,000 vehicles) have full reports but are not indexed in search engines until the evidence threshold is met.