2016 Dacia Sandero 0.9L Petrol · FP66 XDJ

The 2016 Dacia Sandero remains roadworthy following its most recent MOT pass on 3 November 2025 at 63,206 miles, though the maintenance trend over the last three years shows a gradual accumulation of minor defects rather than a clean bill of health. That November 2025 test initially failed due to an offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit and a non-functioning nearside rear stop lamp, both rectified before the same-day retest passed. Comparing this to the October 2023 pass, where the tester flagged worn front brake discs and front brake pads wearing thin, the pattern suggests consumable wear items are being addressed reactively rather than proactively. The vehicle is not presenting any serious structural or safety-critical failures, but the recurring advisories and minor faults indicate basic upkeep has been functional rather than thorough. The mileage progression tells a consistent story. Between October 2023 at 42,115 miles and November 2024 at 52,844 miles, the car covered 10,729 miles in roughly twelve months, then added a further 10,362 miles between November 2024 and November 2025, arriving at 63,206 miles. That annual rate of around 10,000 miles sits above the typical 6,300 miles per year suggested by the car's age, pointing to sustained regular use rather than long periods of inactivity. The MOT record is clean with no gaps in annual testing, and the mileage figures align logically with each test date, so there is no evidence of clocking or irregular gaps in the documented history. A buyer inspecting this Sandero in person should focus on the front brake components first. The October 2023 advisory noted worn front brake discs and pads wearing thin, and with over 21,000 miles covered since that test, the front braking assembly is likely due for renewal or at minimum a thorough thickness and condition check. The offside front tyre wear pattern flagged in both November 2024 and November 2025, described as worn on the edge, warrants a close look at the front suspension geometry. Uneven edge wear on the offside front can point to worn anti-roll bar linkages or bushes, which were themselves flagged as worn in the November 2024 test, or to tracking misalignment that has persisted across multiple MOT cycles. The offside headlamp dipped beam failure in November 2024 was resolved, but a quick function check of all exterior lighting is still prudent. Beyond these specific items, the car's ten-year age means a general inspection of suspension bushes, coil springs, and exhaust system condition is advisable, particularly for corrosion on the underside and around mounting points. The Dacia Sandero's value proposition rests on simplicity and low running costs, and this example appears to have been maintained to that standard rather than above it. There are no alarming structural or mechanical red flags in the MOT record, but the cumulative minor faults suggest a buyer should budget for front brake renewal, a four-wheel alignment check, and close monitoring of tyre wear patterns in the first few months of ownership.