2017 Dacia Duster 1.5L Diesel · GF67 YDM

A pattern of tyre wear and electrical issues dominates the recorded MOT history of this 2017 Dacia Duster, with the most recent test on 7 November 2025 passing but flagging a reduced-damping rear shock absorber alongside minor defects for the windscreen wiper blade and a registration plate lamp. Across six recorded tests, there has been one failure (November 2020, due to non-functional offside headlamp main and dipped beam) and a steady cadence of advisories concentrated on inner and outer tyre edges at both axles, recorded in 2020, 2023, and again on the nearside rear in 2025. The rear shock absorber advisory appearing at the most recent test is the first suspension-related flag in the record, meaning the damping wear is a fresh observation rather than a long-running trend, but it should be treated as a leading indicator given the vehicle's age and mileage. The intervening years of clean passes (2021, 2022, 2024) suggest the underlying chassis has held up, though the recurrence of edge wear on multiple tyres across separate test cycles points to an alignment or suspension geometry issue that has been intermittent rather than resolved. At 100,928 recorded miles over nine years, this Duster has averaged roughly 11,200 miles per year, which is broadly consistent with typical private use. There is a noticeable clustering of tests at the November 2020 retest and another pair of annual tests thereafter, with no significant mileage gaps or unusual leaps visible between consecutive records. Sustained annual use of this level places steady demand on wear items such as brake pads and discs, clutch components, CV joints, and suspension bushes, and explains why tyres have been flagged repeatedly at the legal edge across multiple cycles. The fact that wear patterns have appeared on inner as well as outer edges suggests the geometry issue, if present, is not solely toe-related and may involve camber or worn rear axle bushes, which become more probable at this mileage on a vehicle of this class. A prospective buyer should prioritise a physical inspection of the suspension system, with particular attention to the nearside rear shock absorber flagged at the latest test. On a road test, listen for clonking or a slight floating sensation over undulating surfaces, and check for any vertical oil streaking on the exposed shock body, which would confirm seal failure rather than mere damping fade. Inspect the rear axle bushes, trailing arms, and front lower control arm bushes for cracking, perishing, or movement by hand when the wheel is jacked, as worn linkages at this mileage frequently accompany edge tyre wear. Verify wheel alignment readings against manufacturer specification, as the repeated inner and outer edge advisories across multiple tyre sets are more consistent with a persistent geometry deviation than with isolated tyre issues. The headlamp failure recorded in November 2020 was traced to both dipped and main beam on the offside, which was rectified for the retest the same day, and no repeat electrical defects appeared until the registration plate lamp minor at the 2023 and 2025 tests. Check that all exterior illumination, including the plate lamps, number plate illumination, and headlamp beam patterns, functions correctly, as the recurrence of the plate lamp minor suggests a loose connection or aged bulb holder rather than a one-off issue. On test drive, confirm the operation of the front wipers on both speeds and the washer system, as the 2025 advisory for a defective nearside wiper blade indicates replacement is imminent if not already completed. Finally, inspect the underside for any signs of corrosion on brake pipes, the subframe, and suspension mounting points, given the vehicle's age and rural-use Duster pedigree, and ensure the brake pedal feels firm without excessive travel or judder under load.