2013 Dacia Duster 1.5L Diesel · SY63 AAF

The Dacia Duster’s most recent MOT history reveals a concerning pattern of repeated failures despite no recorded defects on test days. The vehicle failed twice in June 2025—just three days apart—before passing again, suggesting either a technical oversight in the test process or a persistent but undocumented issue that evaded detection. The August 2024 failure at 118,082 miles, with no defects logged, further complicates the narrative, as it implies either a flaw in the tester’s assessment or a component failure that wasn’t captured in the official record. Without specific defect details, the trend remains ambiguous, but the lack of failings between tests—particularly the clean passes in 2023 and 2022—indicates the vehicle has occasionally met MOT standards. The recent failures, however, warrant scrutiny, especially if they coincide with critical components like brakes, suspension, or emissions systems. The mileage progression shows a steady but typical accumulation for a vehicle of this age, averaging around 8,700 miles annually. There are no extreme gaps or sudden spikes in usage, though the 2023 to 2024 period saw a jump from 110,727 to 118,082 miles—a 7,355-mile increase in just under a year. This suggests consistent driving rather than neglect or prolonged storage, though it also means higher wear on consumables like tyres, brakes, and suspension. The absence of advisories or partial failures in the record implies no major deferred repairs were recorded, but the repeated failures without defect explanations remain unexplained. A buyer should treat this as a red flag, as undocumented issues could resurface. Given the lack of defect specifics, a priority inspection should focus on the suspension system—particularly rear suspension bushes and coil springs—since binding brakes or uneven tyre wear are common causes of MOT failures that aren’t always logged. The braking system, including caliper binding, disc thickness, and master cylinder condition, should be thoroughly checked, as repeated failures often stem from brake-related issues. Structural integrity, especially around wheel arches and subframes, should be examined for corrosion, as this model is prone to rust in high-mileage examples. Exhaust emissions components, such as the catalytic converter or oxygen sensors, may also require verification, as they frequently trigger failures without visible defects. The absence of advisories in the record does not guarantee these areas are sound, so a detailed mechanical assessment is essential.