Used car guide

2014 Dacia Sandero: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 Dacia Sanderos, from 12,121 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

12,121MOT tests in 2025

55%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)

6,700typical miles a year

4.3×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2014 Dacia Sanderos than on all cars registered in 2014.

Drive shaft (CV) joints4.3× usual

Dacia Sandero
11.7% All 2014 cars
2.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 8.9%, against 1.5% of all 2014 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.
Anti-roll bar link bushes15.6× usual

Dacia Sandero
7.8% All 2014 cars
0.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.1% of all 2014 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.
Braking performance2.7× usual

Dacia Sandero
10.9% All 2014 cars
4%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 1.5% of all 2014 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.
Coil springs1.8× usual

Dacia Sandero
12.5% All 2014 cars
6.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 9.3%, against 3.4% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

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.
Horn12.7× usual

Dacia Sandero
5.1% All 2014 cars
0.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 0.4% of all 2014 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.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 0.5% here, against 8.2% of all 2014 cars.

By area

The share of 2014 Dacia Sandero MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

37% 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.
Tyres

34% 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

32% 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

21% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

12% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

11% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2022	13,125	Tyres 21%
2021	8,090	Tyres 24%
2020	9,054	Tyres 29%
2019	12,521	Tyres 33%
2018	12,501	Tyres 33%
2017	14,637	Tyres 33%
2016	14,280	Tyres 32%
2015	14,223	Suspension 34%
2013	6,833	Tyres 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2014 Dacia Sanderos registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score