2015 Dacia Duster: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Dacia Duster?

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

• Number plate lights2.7× usual
  Dacia Duster

  9.6% All 2015 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.1% 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.

• Horn28.5× usual
  Dacia Duster

  5.7% 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 aim2.9× usual
  Dacia Duster

  7% All 2015 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 2.4% 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 joint1.8× usual
  Dacia Duster

  5.5% All 2015 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.7% 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

  3.8% All 2015 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1% 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.

Common 2015 Dacia Duster MOT failures and advisories

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
  30% 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
  26% 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
  23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  22% 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.

• 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
  4% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Known faults on the 2015 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 2015 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 number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2015 Dacia Duster as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the horn? (Flagged at MOT 28.5× as often on the 2015 Dacia Duster as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the headlight aim? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2015 Dacia Duster as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?