2014 Dacia Sandero 0.9L Petrol · CE14 XDV

The vehicle presented a clean bill of roadworthiness at its most recent MOT test on 6 February 2026, passing without any advisories or defects recorded, and this follows a similarly clean pass in December 2024. Evaluating the longer term trend, however, reveals a recurring theme centred on the front suspension and steering geometry. The car failed an MOT in December 2023 on a dangerous fractured offside front anti-roll bar linkage, which is a serious structural component in the suspension system, while that same test also flagged a track rod end ball joint with slight play as an advisory. Less than three days prior to that, the offside front track rod end had already failed outright with excessive play. Given this cluster of related front-end defects appearing across consecutive tests, the most recent clean pass should be viewed with measured optimism rather than complacency, and the front axle components should be regarded as a known wear area on this particular car. With 75,983 miles accumulated over roughly twelve years, the vehicle is running at approximately 6,332 miles annually, which is broadly typical for its age and segment. The MOT history shows tests conducted at roughly one to two year intervals across 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2026, with mileage progressing in a steady, incremental fashion rather than in any rapid spikes or long unexplained gaps. This pattern suggests consistent, ordinary use without evidence of long periods of standing that would predispose the car to severe corrosion, seized brake calipers or battery degradation from inactivity. Nevertheless, the accumulated wear inherent to nearly 76,000 miles means that ordinary service items such as brake discs, pads, clutches, timing components and exhaust mountings should all be assumed to be either recently replaced or approaching the end of their functional life. Regarding the specific defect history, the offside front anti-roll bar linkage fracture and the track rod end failures are both pointing to a front suspension and steering system that has been operating under stress, possibly compounded by the vehicle's relatively unrefined factory suspension geometry or previous kerb impacts. On a test drive, a prospective buyer should listen carefully for clonking or rattling noises from the front end over speed bumps, rough tarmac or during sharp direction changes, as a fractured or worn anti-roll bar linkage will typically produce a metallic knock when the body rolls. The steering should be inspected for any vagueness, wandering at speed, or uneven tyre wear across the front axle, particularly inner-edge feathering, which is a classic symptom of worn track rod ends allowing the wheel to sit out of alignment. The nearside track rod end was flagged with slight play in December 2023, so both sides warrant a physical check by rocking each front wheel at the three and nine o'clock positions to detect any looseness in the steering rack connections. Given the recurring nature of these advisories, a four-wheel alignment check and a thorough inspection of the anti-roll bar bushes, drop links and wishbone bushes would be a prudent investment immediately after purchase. Beyond the recorded defects, this twelve year old Dacia Sandero warrants several age and mileage appropriate physical inspections that may not be fully captured by the MOT history. The brake discs, particularly the rear units if the vehicle is fitted with drum or solid disc arrangements, should be checked for corrosion pitting and binding calipers, which are common on vehicles of this age that may have experienced short urban journeys. Brake fluid is hygroscopic and degrades on a calendar basis regardless of mileage, so a fluid change every two years is advisable and the service history should be examined for evidence of this. The 12V battery is likely approaching the end of its service life and should be load tested, while the cooling system hoses, cambelt replacement interval, and exhaust mounting rubbers should all be verified against the manufacturer's schedule. Externally, the underside and wheel arches should be inspected for corrosion, particularly around the suspension mounting points and rear axle, and the tyres should be checked for sidewall cracking and perishing from age even if the tread depth remains legal. Finally, verifying a complete service book stamp history and any invoices for the recent suspension repairs would provide valuable reassurance regarding the quality of the remedial work undertaken.