2019 Dacia Logan: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 Dacia Logan?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2019 Dacia Logan than on all cars registered in 2019.

• Headlight aim4.4× usual
  Dacia Logan

  6.6% All 2019 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 1.5% of all 2019 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.

• Headlights3.9× usual
  Dacia Logan

  3.1% All 2019 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.8% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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 lights3× usual
  Dacia Logan

  3.3% All 2019 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.4% of all 2019 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.

• Wipers1.7× usual
  Dacia Logan

  5.3% All 2019 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 2% of all 2019 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.

• Brake lights4.8× usual
  Dacia Logan

  2.4% All 2019 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.4% of all 2019 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.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2019 Dacia Logan MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2019 Dacia Logan MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  28% 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
  17% 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
  16% 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
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Suspension
  5% 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 2019 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 4.4× as often on the 2019 Dacia Logan as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2019 Dacia Logan as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2019 Dacia Logan as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?