2018 Dacia Duster 1.2L Petrol · GL18 XEA

This 2018 Dacia Duster has just passed its MOT on 26 May 2026 with no recorded defects, which is the most positive recent outcome. However, the history leading up to that pass reveals a serious structural issue that demands careful attention. Four days before the clean pass, on 22 May, the vehicle failed its MOT due to a worn offside front outer track rod end ball joint with a serious risk of detachment. This is a critical suspension component; failure means loss of steering control and a genuine safety hazard. The fact that it was corrected and the vehicle passed just days later suggests the repair was done, but this timing is tight and raises questions about the work quality and whether the root cause has been properly addressed. The exhaust system has shown minor leakage issues across two consecutive MOTs in May 2025, with a small leak noted at the rear silencer on both the failed and passed tests that year. This suggests a long-standing minor fault that may not have been fully resolved, though it has not escalated to a major defect. The headlamp aim issue noted in May 2025 appears to have been corrected and has not recurred. At 65,674 miles on an 8-year-old vehicle, the mileage is roughly typical for its age at around 8,200 miles per year. This does not suggest abnormal wear patterns on its own, but combined with the suspension failure, it indicates that wear and tear have caught up with this model.