2018 Dacia Sandero 1.0L Petrol · EF18 DVM

The 2018 Dacia Sandero presents a mixed but broadly stable maintenance picture as of its most recent MOT on 26 January 2026 at 31,281 miles. That test passed, but only after a same-day failure flagged front brake pads worn below 1.5 mm and front brake discs lipped, pitted or scored. The tester also noted cracking or perishing on the nearside front, offside front, and offside rear tyres. The brake wear reaching failure threshold on the day of a subsequent pass suggests the pads and discs were replaced between the two tests, which is a positive intervention, yet the recurring tyre degradation across multiple wheels points to aged rubber rather than isolated damage. The 2025 test at 26,693 miles was entirely clean, so the current defects represent a recent decline rather than a long-term pattern. Overall, the trend is stable with a short-term dip in condition that has been partially addressed. The vehicle has covered roughly 3,910 miles per year over its eight-year life, which is low for its age. Between 31 January 2025 at 26,693 miles and 26 January 2026 at 31,281 miles, the car added 4,588 miles, a modest increase that still keeps annual use well below the UK average. The sparse record, with only two tests in the last two years and a gap between May 2024 and January 2025, makes it difficult to confirm consistent servicing intervals. Low mileage can reduce wear on drivetrain and suspension components, but prolonged standing periods risk tyre perishing, brake surface corrosion, and seized callipers, all of which align with the defects now appearing. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the braking system and tyre condition. The lipped and scored front discs indicate prior neglect or aggressive use, so check whether the replacement pads and discs are genuine or pattern parts and look for uneven wear suggesting a sticking caliper or collapsed brake hose. Inspect the rear brakes for similar lipping or binding, as rear brake issues often go unnoticed in low-mileage cars. Examine all four sidewalls for deeper cracking, bulging, or date stamps indicating tyres older than five years, since perished rubber at this mileage strongly suggests age-related deterioration rather than wear. Jack the vehicle and check front suspension bushes, drop links, and coil springs for corrosion or play, particularly if the car has sat for extended periods. Verify the windscreen washer reservoir and jets, given the 2024 failure for insufficient fluid, and confirm the rear seat belt mechanism operates fully after the child seat restriction noted in that same test.