2016 Dacia Duster 1.5L Diesel · HJ66 YBY

A chronic pattern of front brake wear dominates the MOT history of this 2016 Dacia Duster, with four of the five most recent tests flagging pitted or scored front brake discs and two of those same tests additionally recording front brake pads wearing thin. The earliest of these brake advisories appeared in December 2022, and the identical disc advisory has resurfaced on each subsequent annual test, suggesting either progressive deterioration of the discs that were never replaced or renewed components that have quickly recorroded. The December 2025 pass carries forward both the front disc and the front brake pad advisories, confirming that no rectification has been carried out in the intervening twelve months despite the continued warnings. This recurring brake profile is the single most important mechanical thread running through the vehicle's recent roadworthiness record and should be the priority area for any prospective buyer. The recorded mileage of 192,870 against a ten-year span equates to an accumulation of roughly 19,287 miles per year, which sits well above the national average for a vehicle of this age and places the Duster firmly in high-use territory. There are no conspicuous gaps in the annual testing cycle, with the vehicle having been presented every December from 2019 through 2025 without any missed years or extended absences that might indicate long periods off the road. Continuous high annual mileage at this level accelerates wear on suspension linkages, wheel bearings, exhaust mountings, clutch components on the manual transmission, and drivetrain items such as driveshaft gaiters and constant velocity joints, even where the MOT record has not yet flagged specific defects in those areas. Combined with the unresolved brake wear pattern, the high annual accumulation suggests that consumable and mechanical fatigue is likely to be more advanced than the modest advisory count might otherwise imply. For a prospective buyer, the front braking system warrants immediate physical inspection, ideally with the wheels removed so that disc thickness can be measured against the manufacturer minimum and the pad friction material can be assessed across the full width of the caliper. On a test drive, listen for any binding or grinding from the front calipers when releasing the pedal, check that the vehicle does not pull to one side under firm braking, and feel for judder or vibration through the steering wheel which would indicate warped or unevenly worn discs. With this level of annual mileage, the suspension should be examined for worn anti-roll bar bushes, tired coil springs causing the vehicle to sit low, and knocking noises from the front MacPherson strut top mounts over uneven surfaces. Steering should be checked for excess play or vagueness around the straight-ahead position, and the front tyres should be inspected for uneven inner or outer shoulder wear which often points to worn suspension geometry components. Given the unbroken annual testing cycle, the bodywork and structural areas appear to have remained free of corrosion advisories throughout the recorded history, which is a positive point for a Duster that has seen considerable road use. However, given the high mileage and the persistent brake wear pattern, a thorough underside inspection is advisable to check for signs of fluid leaks from the brake calipers or wheel cylinders, perished flexible brake hoses, and any early corrosion on subframe or suspension mounting points that would not necessarily be visible from above. Verify that the windscreen washer system is fully operational, as this was the cause of a 2021 failure, and confirm that all registration plate lamps illuminate correctly following the 2023 minor defect. Finally, request evidence of recent brake disc and pad replacement, or budget for the immediate cost of a complete front brake refurbishment including discs, pads, and likely caliper pins, as the MOT record strongly suggests this work is now overdue.