2013 Dacia Duster: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Dacia Duster?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Dacia Duster than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Rigid brake pipes7.6× usual
  Dacia Duster

  31.3% All 2013 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 0.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Coil springs2.2× usual
  Dacia Duster

  16.6% All 2013 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 3.7% of all 2013 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.

• Shock absorbers2.3× usual
  Dacia Duster

  12.3% All 2013 cars

  5.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.2% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Number plate lights1.9× usual
  Dacia Duster

  10.7% All 2013 cars

  5.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.7% of all 2013 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints3.4× usual
  Dacia Duster

  6.5% All 2013 cars

  1.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.7% of all 2013 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.

Common 2013 Dacia Duster MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Dacia Duster MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  49% 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.

• Suspension
  43% 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
  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.

• Lights and electrics
  29% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  7% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Known faults on the 2013 Dacia Duster

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Oil burning (1.2 TCe / DIG-T petrol)

  1.2 TCe / DIG-T turbo petrol

  The 1.2 turbo petrol shared by Renault and Nissan (TCe or DIG-T) can burn oil, and some owners have needed a replacement engine. Running low on oil makes it worse.

  At the viewing: Check the oil level on the dipstick, look for blue smoke from the exhaust, and ask how often it needs topping up. It should be checked every 1,000–2,000 miles.

  Source: Auto Express: used Renault Kadjar (2015 on) review, Car Mechanics: buying and owning the Nissan Qashqai J11 (2013-2021)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Dacia Duster

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. How often does it need oil between services, and has there been any engine work?
2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 7.6× as often on the 2013 Dacia Duster as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2013 Dacia Duster as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2013 Dacia Duster as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?