Used car guide

2016 Dacia Sandero: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Dacia Sanderos, from 14,280 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

14,280MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
6,400typical miles a year
5.8×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Dacia Sanderos than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints5.8× usual
    Dacia Sandero
    11.1% All 2016 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9%, against 1.1% of all 2016 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.

  • Coil springs2.5× usual
    Dacia Sandero
    10.3% All 2016 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 2.5% of all 2016 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes15.3× usual
    Dacia Sandero
    4.6% All 2016 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0% of all 2016 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 performance2.2× usual
    Dacia Sandero
    5.5% All 2016 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.8% of all 2016 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.

  • Washers2.7× usual
    Dacia Sandero
    4.8% All 2016 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 1.8% of all 2016 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.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 0.3% here, against 6.1% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 Dacia Sandero MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    32% 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
    26% 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.

  • Brakes
    25% 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
    16% 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
    11% 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
    10% 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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
202213,125Tyres 21%
20218,090Tyres 24%
20209,054Tyres 29%
201912,521Tyres 33%
201812,501Tyres 33%
201714,637Tyres 33%
201514,223Suspension 34%
201412,121Suspension 37%
20136,833Tyres 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Dacia Sanderos registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score