2022 Dacia Sandero Essential TCE 1.0L Petrol · GL71 UYH

The Dacia Sandero holds a valid MOT certificate issued on 29 December 2025 at 18,835 miles, passing with minor advisories. The maintenance trend appears stable but reveals a pattern of deferred minor repairs rather than proactive upkeep. The most recent test flagged cracking and perishing on both front and rear tyres alongside a non-functioning high-level stop lamp. These are low-cost items, yet both advisories persisted or emerged within a twelve-month window, suggesting basic checks between tests were overlooked. Mileage accumulation tells a clear story of very light use. The vehicle covered just 1,068 miles between the January 2025 test at 17,767 miles and the December 2025 test at 18,835 miles. Over its four-year life, the annual average sits at roughly 4,709 miles, well below the typical UK figure of 8,000 to 12,000 miles per year. Such low mileage often means extended periods stationary, which itself can cause flat-spotting on tyres, moisture ingress in brake fluid, and surface corrosion on brake discs and exhaust components from lack of regular heat cycling. The January 2025 test specifically identified both front tyres worn on the inner edge, a classic indicator of misaligned tracking or worn suspension bushes allowing excessive negative camber. That neither tyre was replaced before the December test, when cracking and perishing were then flagged across all four, points to a neglect of tyre condition rather than simple wear. A buyer should inspect the inner sidewalls closely, check the date codes on all four tyres, and verify whether the tracking has been corrected to prevent the same uneven wear from recurring on replacements. Beyond tyres, the inoperative high-level stop lamp is a minor electrical fault that could stem from a failed bulb, corroded connector, or wiring issue. Given the low mileage and short ownership period, it is unlikely to indicate deeper electrical problems, but it warrants verification. The overall picture is one of a lightly used car where consumable items have simply aged rather than worn out mechanically. A thorough inspection of suspension bushings, brake condition, and tyre age will confirm whether the low mileage has genuinely preserved the car or masked slow deterioration from infrequent use.