Dacia Sandero: what fails at MOT
127,000 MOT tests on the Dacia Sandero in 2024, counted. 30.2% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
30.2% of Dacia Sandero tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 19.4%, so the Sandero does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (9.2% of tests), suspension (5.9% of tests) and wipers, washers and windscreen (5.7% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, suspension and wipers, washers and windscreen 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 | 10,335 | 9.5% | 10.9% | 17,100 11,500 to 25,100 |
| 2020 | 10,941 | 19.8% | 11.5% | 22,200 14,700 to 31,400 |
| 2019 | 14,628 | 21.6% | 13.4% | 28,200 19,400 to 38,900 |
| 2018 | 14,910 | 24.5% | 15.6% | 35,600 24,700 to 48,400 |
| 2017 | 17,972 | 29.3% | 18.2% | 44,000 31,000 to 59,900 |
| 2016 | 16,980 | 34.4% | 21.3% | 52,700 37,300 to 70,200 |
| 2015 | 17,445 | 41.1% | 24.4% | 61,300 44,500 to 79,100 |
| 2014 | 15,182 | 43.9% | 27.7% | 69,500 50,900 to 89,000 |
| 2013 | 8,523 | 40.1% | 30.6% | 72,100 53,400 to 92,500 |
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 Sandero tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Sandero | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 9.2% | 4.1% | More than most |
| Suspension | 5.9% | 3.1% | More than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 5.7% | 2.3% | More than most |
| Brakes | 4.7% | 2.8% | More than most |
| Body and structure | 4.0% | 1.0% | More than most |
| Tyres | 3.7% | 3.8% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.4% | 1.2% | |
| Steering | 1.0% | 0.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Headlamp aim4.2%
- Driveshaft joint3.5%
- Washers2.9%
- Wipers2.8%
- Coil spring2.4%
- Seat belt1.9%
- Ball joint1.8%
- Headlamp1.8%
- Tyre tread1.7%
- Footbrake1.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.4%
- Headlamp aim: too low2.6%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.6%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.4%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.7%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.7%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.5%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
- Horn: not working1.3%
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 edge11.4%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing11.1%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened6.4%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.4%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively2.2%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.9%
- Footbrake: binding but not excessively1.7%
- Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement1.6%
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?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Dacia Sandero'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.