2020 Dacia Duster Essential TCE 4X2 1.0L Petrol · DX70 WZH

The 2020 Dacia Duster Essential TCE has presented a consistently compliant roadworthiness record across its four recorded MOT tests spanning 2023 to 2026, with only minor and advisory-level findings rather than critical failures. The latest assessment conducted on 2026-07-31 achieved a passing result, albeit accompanied by a single minor advisory concerning the nearside rear position lighting circuit where multiple light sources failed to operate fully. While the 2025 test had flagged front brake pads as wearing thin, the subsequent 2024 and 2026 examinations returned clear, with no further defects or new advisories emerging, suggesting the vehicle has maintained acceptable mechanical standards throughout its current ownership period. In terms of usage patterns, the vehicle has logged 48,415 miles over its six-year lifespan, translating to approximately 8,069 miles per annum—a rate that aligns with typical expectations for a model of this age and does not indicate either unusually high or abnormally low consumption. The spacing between the 2024 and 2025 MOTs occurred only one calendar month apart, followed by a three-month gap before the next test in August 2025, and then a five-month interval before the July 2026 reassessment, implying regular but not intensive monitoring intervals. This steady accumulation suggests the vehicle has been driven under normal domestic conditions without extreme mileage fluctuations that would accelerate component wear. The front brake pads were identified as wearing thin during the 2025 MOT, which is the primary mechanical concern reflected in the recorded history; on a test drive, the buyer should note whether the brake pedal feels firm and responsive through moderate deceleration, and pay particular attention to any vibration or pulsation in the master cylinder housing or caliper mounting points that might indicate underlying wear beyond the pad thickness measurement. Additionally, the nearside rear position lamp showing intermittent failure represents a cosmetic electrical issue that may occasionally illuminate while driving, though it does not directly compromise safety or handling. Given the front brake pad advisory, a practical test-drive observation involves performing controlled stops from various speeds—approximately 20 mph, 40 mph, and 60 mph—to assess whether the braking action remains consistent and whether the pads exhibit any audible grinding or excessive vibration at contact. If the lamps continue to flicker or fail intermittently during the test drive, replacement of the rear position indicator assembly should be considered even if the main indicator functions normally. Finally, given the absence of broader mechanical failures, the vehicle appears roadworthy with the understanding that the brake pad thinning and the occasional lamp malfunction represent the only documented issues requiring attention prior to purchase.