Used car guide · 2013–2026

Dacia Duster common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Dacia Duster, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 215,899 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 Dacia Duster

Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Dacia Duster as a whole.

4,024registered new in 2026 so far
2029first MOT due
Petrolmost common fuel (also diesel)
What to check on a 2026 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013

What usually goes wrong with a Dacia Duster?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Cambelt due (1.5 diesel)

    Cars registered 2019–2025 · 1.5 diesel

    The 1.5 Blue dCi diesel has a cambelt due every 90,000 miles or six years, about £799. The petrol engines use a chain.

    At the viewing: Ask for an invoice if it's due.

    Source: Auto Express: used Dacia Duster (Mk2, 2018 on) review

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

    Cars registered 2013–2018 · 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)

  • Ignition switch recall (early cars)

    Cars registered in 2019 · Early cars

    A few early cars built to October 2018 needed a new ignition switch because the key could jam in the start position.

    At the viewing: Ask a Dacia dealer whether the recall applies.

    Source: Auto Express: used Dacia Duster (Mk2, 2018 on) review

Common Dacia Duster MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Headlight aim

    up to 5.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    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.

  • Headlights

    up to 9.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 10× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2019.

    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.

  • Exhaust system

    up to 4.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Washers

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017 and 2020.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Coil springs

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014 and 2017.

    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.

Diesel

  • Headlight aim

    up to 5.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    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.

  • Headlights

    up to 7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 3.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2020.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 21× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2019 and 2020.

    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 springs

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 8.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Dacia Duster MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2022 Dacia Duster did best (87% passed first time, 2 points below all 2022 cars) and the 2019 did worst (75%, 10 points below all 2019 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202393%92% +1426 (small sample)
202287%89% -211,012
202182%87% -517,309
202079%87% -824,773
201975%85% -1044,225
201874%83% -925,527
201773%80% -718,969
201669%77% -820,844
201565%74% -917,258
201461%70% -916,855
201358%67% -918,701

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Dacia Duster

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

  1. Has the cambelt been changed?
  2. How often does it need oil between services, and has there been any engine work?
  3. Any recent work on the headlight aim? (Flagged at MOT 5.2× as often on the Dacia Duster as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 9× as often on the Dacia Duster as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the Dacia Duster as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Dacia Duster?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score