2019 Dacia Duster 1.3L Petrol · HT19 YMY

The most recent MOT, carried out on 26 May 2026, was passed but returned an advisory noting slight damage and cracking on both rear tyres. Over the preceding five years the vehicle has shown a mixed pattern: early in the period the brakes required attention, with a dangerous failure for front‑pad thickness in 2025 that was subsequently rectified, and the front discs were flagged as worn in 2024 but not yet beyond safe limits. Tyre condition has been a recurring concern, with rear‑tyre perishing recorded in three consecutive years and a front‑tyre wear advisory in 2024. Electrical items such as wipers and headlamp aim have also required remedial work in 2025. Overall the trend is one of stabilising brake wear after replacement, but tyre degradation remains ongoing and should be addressed promptly. At 52,598 mi the Dacia Duster averages roughly 7,500 mi per annum, which sits comfortably within the typical usage envelope for a seven‑year‑old vehicle. There are no obvious periods of unusually high mileage that would suggest accelerated wear of major components, nor long stretches of inactivity that could predispose to corrosion or fluid breakdown. The modest annual mileage implies that wear on consumables such as brake pads, discs and tyres should be commensurate with age rather than extreme usage, but the tyre advisories indicate that age‑related perishing is already affecting the rear set. A prospective buyer should give the rear tyres the highest priority. Inspect the sidewalls for any visible cracking, bulging or dry‑rot, and measure tread depth across the width; a depth below 3 mm or uneven wear will necessitate immediate replacement. The front tyres, flagged as close to the legal limit in 2024, should also be measured for tread depth and checked for edge wear that can indicate mis‑alignment. During a test drive listen for any thumping or vibration that may betray a tyre that is out of round or developing a separation. Verify that the wiper blades clear the screen effectively and that both low‑beam headlamps are correctly aimed, as these were major failures in 2025; a mis‑aimed beam will produce glare for on‑coming traffic and may be symptomatic of suspension or steering geometry drift. Brake performance warrants a thorough check. Confirm that the front pads have been replaced since the 2025 failure and that the discs show no scoring, excessive rust or thinning beyond the minimum safe thickness; a slight pulsation or shudder under hard braking can indicate disc wear. Examine the rear seat‑belt mechanism for smooth retraction and a functional release button, given the repeated seat‑belt defects in 2022 and 2023. Finally, assess the condition of the 12 V battery (voltage and cranking performance), look for any signs of corrosion on suspension bushes, chassis mounting points and under‑body panels, and ensure that engine oil, coolant and brake fluid have been changed in line with the manufacturer’s calendar intervals, as time‑based degradation can occur even on modestly driven cars.