Dacia Duster: what fails at MOT
93,000 MOT tests on the Dacia Duster in 2024, counted. 26.5% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
26.5% of Dacia Duster tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 17.9%, so the Duster does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (10.1% of tests), wipers, washers and windscreen (4.2% of tests) and brakes (4% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, wipers, washers and windscreen and brakes more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,644 | 14.7% | 10.9% | 22,200 15,400 to 30,000 |
| 2020 | 11,997 | 18.9% | 11.5% | 28,200 19,900 to 37,900 |
| 2019 | 17,813 | 23.0% | 13.4% | 34,700 25,100 to 46,300 |
| 2018 | 9,706 | 25.1% | 15.6% | 44,300 32,100 to 57,400 |
| 2017 | 8,418 | 26.0% | 18.2% | 50,300 35,600 to 67,000 |
| 2016 | 9,129 | 31.0% | 21.3% | 61,700 45,500 to 79,500 |
| 2015 | 7,732 | 34.8% | 24.4% | 71,000 53,900 to 89,800 |
| 2014 | 7,433 | 38.5% | 27.7% | 78,800 59,100 to 98,800 |
| 2013 | 8,422 | 41.4% | 30.6% | 85,500 65,400 to 106,300 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Dacia Duster tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Duster | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 10.1% | 3.7% | More than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 4.2% | 2.2% | More than most |
| Brakes | 4.0% | 2.5% | More than most |
| Tyres | 3.6% | 3.6% | |
| Suspension | 3.0% | 2.6% | |
| Body and structure | 2.0% | 0.8% | More than most |
| Steering | 1.6% | 0.6% | More than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.1% | 1.0% |
The parts that fail most
- Headlamp aim5.0%
- Headlamp2.7%
- Wipers2.4%
- Seat belt1.9%
- Washers1.9%
- Tyre tread1.8%
- Track rod end1.3%
- Driveshaft joint1.1%
- Coil spring1.0%
- Footbrake0.9%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.7%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.4%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.3%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
- Headlamp aim: too low1.8%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.3%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.2%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.0%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.0%
- Headlamp aim: too high0.9%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge13.0%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.2%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened6.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.7%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material3.6%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively2.4%
- Coil spring: corroded2.0%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.8%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
Check a Dacia Duster's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.