2015 Dacia Sandero 0.9L Petrol · MW65 SYX

The 2015 Dacia Sandero currently holds a valid MOT that passed on 15 August 2025 at 35,915 miles, but the maintenance trend is mixed rather than consistently improving. The most recent test cycle tells a concerning story: the car failed on the same day it eventually passed, with the tester flagging a front brake disc seriously weakened and front brake pads wearing thin. The nearside front tyre was also noted as slightly damaged, cracking, or perishing. These are not minor advisories. A seriously weakened brake disc is a direct structural integrity and braking efficiency risk, and the fact that it required a retest suggests the previous owner addressed the issue only after failing. The TPMS light was illuminated on both the pass and fail, indicating an unresolved tyre pressure monitoring fault that could mask slow punctures or pressure loss between checks. The mileage pattern is unusually low for an eleven-year-old vehicle. At roughly 3,265 miles per year, the car has covered just 35,915 miles since 2015. Between the June 2023 test at 31,221 miles and the May 2024 test at 32,584 miles, only 1,363 miles were added over nearly twelve months. The mileage then remained static at 35,915 miles across both August 2025 tests, meaning the car sat unused for over a year before that MOT cycle. Prolonged standing is its own risk. Seals dry out, brake discs surface-corrode, tyres develop age-related cracking independent of tread depth, and fuel degrades. The 2024 failure for a non-working nearside headlamp dipped beam and the repeated tyre cracking advisories across 2023 and 2024 both point to a vehicle that was not being actively maintained during dormancy. A buyer inspecting this car in person should focus on the front brake assembly first. The August 2025 failure for a seriously weakened disc and thin pads means replacement parts were fitted shortly before the pass, but the quality and fitment of those parts need verification. Check for uneven disc thickness, lipping, and pad wear symmetry. The nearside front tyre flagged as cracking or perishing should be closely examined for sidewall damage beyond surface age, and the TPMS system needs diagnostic interrogation to confirm whether the fault lies in a sensor, module, or wiring. All four tyres should be checked for date codes, as the 2023 and 2024 advisories for age-related cracking suggest original or long-life rubber that may now be past its safe service window regardless of remaining tread. Finally, inspect the underside for corrosion consistent with a vehicle that has spent extended periods stationary, paying particular attention to brake lines, subframe mounting points, and exhaust hangers.