2014 Dacia Duster 1.5L Diesel · FY14 XKC

The vehicle presents a concerning roadworthiness status with a worsening trend in mechanical and structural integrity. While it passed its most recent test in January 2026 at 124,919 miles, this result followed several new defects that were not present a year prior. The appearance of a nearside front suspension arm ball joint with play and a corroded offside rear brake pipe indicates that components are now reaching the end of their service life. The failure in January 2026 due to high emissions and multiple low tyres suggests a reactive approach to maintenance rather than proactive upkeep. The recorded mileage of 124,919 miles over 12 years reflects an average usage of approximately 10,400 miles per annum, which is consistent with a family vehicle of this age. However, the interval between the January 2024 test at 110,863 miles and the January 2025 test at 118,312 miles shows a steady accumulation of roughly 7,500 miles. The most critical data occurred in January 2024 at 110,855 miles, where evidence of tampering with the diesel particulate filter and high smoke emissions were flagged. These issues suggest potential engine management problems or previous attempts to bypass emissions controls. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the exhaust system and braking components due to the recurring reports of corrosion and emissions failure. The corroded offside rear brake pipe, covered in grease, is a red flag as it may hide deep-seated structural decay. Particular attention should be paid to the front suspension, specifically the ball joints and the state of the brake discs, which were already noted as pitted and scored in previous tests. The frequent mention of tyres worn to the legal limit across multiple tests indicates that the owner likely neglected basic consumable maintenance until an MOT failure forced action.