2015 Dacia Duster 1.5L Diesel · BC03 CCO

The most recent DVSA MOT test on 9 December 2024 resulted in a clean pass with no advisories or defects recorded, which is a positive indicator of the vehicle's present roadworthy condition. The trend across the recorded history is mixed rather than clearly improving or deteriorating. The December 2017 and August 2020 tests passed without comment, while the March 2020 test failed on electrical and lighting issues including a malfunctioning tyre pressure monitoring system, an airbag system warning lamp fault, and an inoperative nearside headlamp dipped beam, with an advisory noting the diesel injection light was illuminated. The April 2022 retest passed, but only after the same tyre pressure monitoring system issue recurred alongside a failed horn, defective wiper blades, and another failed dipped beam on the offside, suggesting recurring electrical concerns. By December 2024, however, the vehicle presented a clean sheet, indicating that the earlier issues were resolved, although the underlying causes of the intermittent electrical faults merit further investigation. With 93,021 miles recorded over approximately 11 years, the Dacia Duster is averaging around 8,456 miles per year, which is broadly typical for its age and sector. There is a noticeable gap between the August 2020 and April 2022 tests, spanning roughly 20 months, during which the vehicle may have seen limited use or stood for extended periods. Standing periods can encourage brake disc surface corrosion, caliper slider seizure, and degradation of the 12V battery through repeated shallow discharge cycles, while the overall mileage level points to expected wear on suspension components, clutch material if manual, and general drivetrain bearings. Given the recurring tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctions across both 2020 and 2022, it would be prudent to verify the current operation of the TPMS during a test drive and inspect each wheel sensor and valve stem for damage or corrosion, as the fault could also relate to a relay or control module issue. The dipped beam failures on both sides across different tests suggest attention to the headlamp bulbs, connectors, and wiring loom, and the buyer should confirm both beams operate reliably and that there is no condensation inside the headlamp units. The 2018 advisory of an oil leak should be followed up by inspecting the engine and gearbox sump, timing cover, and turbo oil feed lines on the 1.5 dCi for fresh seepage, as these engines can suffer from cam cover gasket seepage and turbocharger oil seal hardening with age and mileage. Brake pad wear advisories on both front pads in 2022, combined with the 2018 advisories on the rear tyres being worn close to the legal limit and on the inner edge, indicate that the vehicle should now be inspected for fully renewed front pads and discs, and that the wheel alignment should be checked to prevent further uneven rear tyre wear. On a test drive, listen for suspension clonks over speed humps and uneven surfaces which would suggest worn anti-roll bar bushes, drop links, or top mounts, and feel for any brake shudder or pulling to one side under steady pedal pressure indicative of warped discs or binding calipers. Beyond the recorded defects, age-related checks are highly relevant for an 11-year-old Duster regardless of mileage. Tyres should be examined closely for sidewall perishing and cracking from age, even if tread depth remains adequate, and the production date code on each tyre should be within a sensible service life. Brake discs should be inspected for lipping and severe surface corrosion, particularly given any standing periods, and the handbrake mechanism should be confirmed to hold firmly on an incline. Fluid servicing should be verified by service book stamps, as brake fluid benefits from replacement every two years due to hygroscopic moisture absorption, while coolant and manual gearbox or transfer box oil on four-wheel-drive variants degrade with calendar age. The 12V battery should be load tested, and the condition of the cam belt or timing chain service history confirmed, as the 1.5 dCi engine is timing belt driven with a manufacturer replacement interval that should not be exceeded. Finally, bodywork should be checked around the rear wheel arches, sills, and underbody for the onset of structural corrosion, and the injection system warning lamp advisory from 2020 followed up with a diagnostic read to ensure no stored fault codes remain in the engine management system.