2016 Dacia Sandero 1.1L Petrol · HW16 AAF

A Dacia Sandero of this vintage typically shows wear on ageing consumables and suspension components by its tenth year, yet the official MOT record for this particular example tells a fairly tidy mechanical story. The 2026 test on 2 February resulted in a pass with three advisories, all confined to the tyres, and crucially there are no advisories or failures recorded against braking, suspension, exhaust, or structural integrity across any of the tests on file. The only failure occurred in February 2024, when both front wiper blades were flagged as failing to clear the screen effectively, a relatively trivial repair that was clearly rectified given the subsequent pass on the same day and clean tests in 2023, 2025, and 2026. The absence of recurring advisories on the same component across consecutive tests is a positive indicator of underlying mechanical health rather than a pattern of deferred maintenance being masked at the test centre. At 18,710 recorded miles over roughly a decade, this Sandero has covered an unusually low annual average of around 1,870 miles per year, which is significantly below the typical mileage for a car of its age. There are no prolonged gaps in the testing history beyond the usual pre-third-birthday exemption, suggesting the vehicle has been kept on the road and presented for inspection consistently rather than laid up for extended periods. Such low mileage reduces wear on major mechanical assemblies like the engine internals, clutch, and gearbox, but it does bring its own considerations: rubber components, brake discs, and suspension bushes can deteriorate from underuse and environmental exposure rather than mechanical fatigue. The fact that no corrosion advisories have appeared on the underseay or suspension components is encouraging for a 2016 vehicle approaching the age at which structural advisories commonly begin to surface on budget-segment cars. With the most recent advisories all relating to tyres, any prospective buyer should treat the four rubber items as an immediate priority. The nearside rear and offside rear tyres were flagged for slight damage, cracking, or perishing, while the offside front was noted as worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge with cuts in the tread. Edge wear on the front is particularly worth investigating, as it often points to misalignment, worn suspension linkages, or tracking issues rather than simple tyre ageing, so inspecting the condition and evenness of wear across the full set is worthwhile. On a test drive, listen for any knocking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, pay attention to whether the steering pulls to one side under braking, and feel for vibration through the steering wheel which could indicate a warped brake disc from prolonged disuse. Given the low annual mileage, a thorough physical inspection is strongly advised even though the MOT record is largely unremarkable. The brake discs and pads should be checked for surface corrosion, as lightly used calipers can bind and produce uneven pad wear, and the handbrake should be confirmed to hold effectively on a slope. Under the bonnet, look for any signs of oil misting around the cam cover or evidence of perished rubber hoses and perished drive belts, both of which age with time regardless of mileage. A final check of all fluid levels and their condition, particularly the coolant and brake fluid which degrade over calendar years, will round out what is fundamentally a low-risk purchase provided the tyres are replaced and the suspension geometry is verified to be within specification.