2018 Dacia Duster 1.2L Petrol · GY18 OTS

The 2018 Dacia Duster presents a stable and largely clean roadworthiness record, with the most recent MOT conducted on 1 August 2025 at 18,256 miles resulting in a pass. The tester flagged a recurring advisory for the nearside front tyre showing slight damage, cracking, or perishing. This is a minor consumable defect rather than a serious mechanical or structural concern, and the vehicle has consistently passed its annual tests without any dangerous or major failures. The maintenance trend is broadly stable, though the repeated tyre advisory suggests a pattern of deferred minor upkeep rather than a worsening mechanical fault. The mileage profile is notably low for an eight-year-old vehicle. Between the first recorded test on 12 July 2022 at 12,628 miles and the most recent on 1 August 2025 at 18,256 miles, the car covered just 5,628 miles over three years, averaging roughly 1,876 miles per annum in that period. The earlier record is similarly sparse, with only 1,411 miles added between July 2022 and July 2023. Such low annual accumulation raises the possibility of long periods of standing, which can itself cause issues such as perished rubber components, flat-spotted tyres, and moisture-related corrosion in brake and exhaust systems, even if the odometer reading remains low. The most significant technical event in the record occurred on 3 July 2024, when the vehicle failed at 16,249 miles for elevated exhaust emissions. Carbon monoxide at idle, hydrocarbons after the second fast idle, and a lambda reading outside specified limits all pointed to a combustion or catalytic converter deficiency. The retest on the same day at 16,252 miles passed cleanly, indicating the issue was promptly addressed, likely through a catalytic converter replacement, ignition system repair, or fuel mixture adjustment. No further emissions defects have appeared since, suggesting the repair was effective. A prospective buyer should focus the physical inspection on the nearside front tyre, given the repeated advisory across both the 2024 and 2025 tests. Check the sidewall closely for cracking, bulging, or perishing, and verify the tread depth and date code. Inspect the exhaust system for signs of recent repair or replacement, particularly around the catalytic converter and lambda sensors, to confirm the emissions fix is holding. With such low mileage and long periods of limited use, examine the brake discs and calipers for surface corrosion or sticking, and assess all rubber bushes, hoses, and seals for deterioration caused by age rather than wear. The underbody should be checked for corrosion, as standing vehicles can develop rust in areas that regular use would otherwise keep protected.