Used car guide

2015 Dacia Duster: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 Dacia Dusters, from 5,666 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,666MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)
7,700typical miles a year
2.9×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2015 Dacia Dusters than on all cars registered in 2015.

  • Number plate lights2.9× usual
    Dacia Duster
    11.7% All 2015 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.2% of all 2015 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.

  • Horn28× usual
    Dacia Duster
    5.6% All 2015 cars
    0.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 0.2% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Headlight aim2.7× usual
    Dacia Duster
    7.1% All 2015 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 2.6% of all 2015 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.

  • Ball joint2.1× usual
    Dacia Duster
    7.4% All 2015 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.9% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
    Dacia Duster
    4.6% All 2015 cars
    2.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.2% of all 2015 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.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 1.6% here, against 7.1% of all 2015 cars.

By area

The share of 2015 Dacia Duster MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    31% 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.

  • Suspension
    28% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    27% 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
    27% 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
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    5% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
202210,606Tyres 24%
20218,714Tyres 26%
20208,319Tyres 27%
201914,895Tyres 31%
20188,604Tyres 31%
20176,336Tyres 31%
20166,920Tyres 30%
20145,460Brakes 45%
20135,913Brakes 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2015 Dacia Dusters registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score