2013 Dacia Duster 1.6L Petrol · FN13 ODS

The vehicle holds a valid MOT pass dated 3 June 2026 at 82,000 miles, yet the maintenance trend is clearly worsening rather than resolving. The most recent test still flagged corroded brake pipes at the rear and along the front-to-rear run above the fuel tank, a frayed offside rear seat belt webbing, a minor central exhaust leak, a defective exhaust mounting, and light oil misting from the offside front shock absorber. These are not fresh defects. The same brake pipe corrosion and exhaust mounting faults appear repeatedly across multiple years, indicating long-standing issues that have been managed on the boundary of the MOT standard rather than properly repaired. The 22 May 2026 failure at 81,895 miles on identical brake and exhaust items, followed by a pass just twelve days later, confirms a pattern of minimal remedial work to secure a pass each year. The mileage progression is consistent with light, steady use. The vehicle recorded 76,151 miles in June 2024, 79,318 miles in June 2025, and 82,000 miles by June 2026, averaging roughly 2,800 to 2,900 miles per year over the last two years. Combined with the overall total of approximately 6,300 miles per year since new, this is unremarkable for a 2013 Duster and suggests no recent surge in use or suspiciously rapid accumulation. There are no notable gaps in the MOT record that would imply long periods off the road. A buyer should treat the recurring brake pipe corrosion as the primary structural concern. Rigid brake lines corroded above the fuel tank and at both rear corners point to long-term moisture ingress and underbody deterioration, which can escalate from an advisory to a dangerous failure without warning. The front coil springs were noted as corroded in 2024, and while that defect does not appear in later tests, it raises the question of whether the springs were replaced or simply not re-flagged. The offside front shock absorber has shown light oil misting annually since at least 2024, suggesting gradual seal deterioration rather than a sudden failure, but it warrants a close physical check for dampness and bounce-test performance. The frayed offside rear seat belt webbing is a safety-critical defect that should be repaired before the vehicle is used to carry rear passengers. The central exhaust leak and broken mounting are less urgent but confirm a general pattern of underbody and exhaust neglect. A thorough underbody inspection, with particular attention to brake line condition, coil spring integrity, and shock absorber function, is essential before purchase.