2015 Dacia Sandero 1.1L Petrol · AVI 744

A recurring theme of front-end wear and lighting faults runs through the MOT history of this eleven-year-old Dacia Sandero, with three failures logged over the recorded test cycle. The most recent examination on 13 November 2025 resulted in a pass, but not before a nearside driveshaft oil seal leak was flagged once again, continuing an advisory that has now appeared on three consecutive annual tests. Front brake components have drawn attention across multiple visits, including worn and lipped discs on both sides in 2023, thinning pads near the limit in 2024, and recurring front brake pad advisories, suggesting a progressive pattern of consumable wear at the front axle. The earlier failures are also notable: a serious nearside front shock absorber fluid leak in 2023, dual headlamp aim defects on both occasions, and a 2022 failure that combined an empty windscreen washer reservoir, an inoperative headlamp levelling device, and headlamp aim faults. Taken together, the record shows the vehicle has remained largely roadworthy, but with a clear mechanical narrative centred on front suspension damping, headlamp alignment and the front braking system. The recorded mileage of 24,027 miles against an eleven-year vehicle age equates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 2,184 miles, which is low for the class and the era. This low usage figure aligns with the advisory pattern, where tyre cracking on both the front and rear axles has appeared in 2021, 2024 and again on the failed 2024 test, a typical outcome for a vehicle that covers short journeys or sits idle for extended periods between uses. The fact that tyres perished to the point of exposed cords on the nearside rear in 2024, despite the low overall mileage, underlines how little active road use the car has seen relative to its calendar age. Brakes and clutches, suspension components and underbody finishes are less affected by mileage on this scale than by time, ambient conditions and infrequent operation, so corrosion risk on mounting hardware, rubber deterioration and fluid degradation all warrant closer inspection. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is to monitor the recurring transmission driveshaft seal leak that has been noted on each of the last three tests. On a road test, listen for any rhythmic clicking or whining that intensifies during tight cornering, which would indicate a worn seal allowing lubricant loss at the inner CV joint, and inspect the underside for fresh oil residue around the transmission housing and the nearside driveshaft gaiter. Given that the front shock absorber was flagged for serious fluid leakage in 2023, pay particular attention to damping performance on the test drive: any continued bouncing after a single bump, excessive front-end nose dive under braking, or uneven ride height between the two front corners would warrant further investigation, and the coil springs and top mount bearings should be checked for play by pushing down firmly on each front corner with the vehicle stationary. Brake-related advisories have featured on three of the five recorded tests, covering both front discs and pads, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection of the braking system is advisable. On the road, feel for any judder through the steering wheel under steady braking, which is consistent with the lipped front discs previously recorded, and check for a soft or spongy pedal that might indicate air ingress or seized caliper sliders, particularly given the brake pad wear noted in 2023 and 2024. The headlamp aim defects across 2022 and 2023, together with the failed headlamp levelling device, suggest the lighting system has been prone to misalignment, so confirm both headlamps project evenly and at the correct height on level ground before any evening driving. Finally, given the long calendar age relative to mileage, examine the tyres closely for sidewall cracking even where the tread appears adequate, and check for any stiffness or flat-spotting from prolonged standing, as well as general underbody condition for the kind of surface corrosion that affects vehicles of this age regardless of odometer reading.