2013 Dacia Sandero: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Anti-roll bar link bushes19.5× usual
  Dacia Sandero

  7.8% All 2013 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.1% of all 2013 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual
  Dacia Sandero

  7.6% All 2013 cars

  2.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 1.6% of all 2013 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.

• Braking performance2× usual
  Dacia Sandero

  8.8% All 2013 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Horn10.5× usual
  Dacia Sandero

  4.2% All 2013 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 0.4% of all 2013 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 aim1.7× usual
  Dacia Sandero

  5.9% All 2013 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 3.5% of all 2013 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.

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 2013 Dacia Sandero MOT failures and advisories

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

• Tyres
  33% 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.

• Suspension
  28% 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.

• Brakes
  28% 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
  19% 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
  10% 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
  8% 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 2013 Dacia Sandero

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.

• Cambelt due every six years

  1.2 petrol and 1.5 dCi diesel

  The 1.2 petrol’s cambelt is due every six years or 72,000 miles, and the 1.5 dCi diesel’s every six years or 90,000 miles. The 0.9 TCe uses a chain.

  At the viewing: Ask for an invoice showing the cambelt was changed on time.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Dacia Sandero buying guide (2013 on)

• Rust on early cars

  Early cars

  Some early cars have suffered from rust.

  At the viewing: Look along seams, panel edges, window seals and bolt holes for rust or rust stains.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Dacia Sandero buying guide (2013 on)

• Dim headlights

  All engines

  Some owners find the headlights dim.

  At the viewing: Check the lights on dipped and main beam.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Dacia Sandero buying guide (2013 on)

• Damaged boot sill (Stepway)

  Stepway

  The Stepway’s high boot sill gets scuffed and damaged by heavy loads.

  At the viewing: Look at the boot sill for damage.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Dacia Sandero buying guide (2013 on)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Dacia Sandero

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

1. Has the cambelt been changed, and is there an invoice?
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 19.5× as often on the 2013 Dacia Sandero as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2013 Dacia Sandero as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2013 Dacia Sandero as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?