2018 Dacia Logan: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Dacia Logan?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Dacia Logan than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Headlight aim4.9× usual
  Dacia Logan

  8.3% All 2018 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 1.7% of all 2018 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.

• Number plate lights2.9× usual
  Dacia Logan

  5.3% All 2018 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.6% of all 2018 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 bushes15.5× usual
  Dacia Logan

  3.1% All 2018 cars

  0.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0% of all 2018 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.

• Brake lights4.2× usual
  Dacia Logan

  3.8% All 2018 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.7% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Washers2.6× usual
  Dacia Logan

  3.9% All 2018 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.5% of all 2018 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.

Common 2018 Dacia Logan MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Dacia Logan MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  29% 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
  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.

• Brakes
  17% 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.

• 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.

• Suspension
  9% 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Dacia Logan

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

1. Any recent work on the headlight aim? (Flagged at MOT 4.9× as often on the 2018 Dacia Logan as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2018 Dacia Logan as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 15.5× as often on the 2018 Dacia Logan as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?