2018 Dacia Duster 1.2L Petrol · RJ18 HSC

The vehicle presents a stable, broadly satisfactory roadworthiness profile heading into mid-2026, though the record reveals a pattern of deferred minor maintenance rather than serious structural or mechanical decline. In the most recent test on 15 November 2025 at 47,423 miles the Duster passed, but the tester flagged perishing on both the offside front and nearside rear outer walls and noted front brake discs worn, pitted or scored on both sides. These advisories were not new. The previous day's failure at 47,329 miles had already highlighted perishing tyres, an offside front headlamp aim well out of specification, and front tyres worn to or very close to the 1.6 mm legal limit. The fact that the car passed on 15 November with the same tyre condition still present suggests the owner replaced the worst offenders but left ageing rubber in place. That is a common cost-driven approach on a budget SUV and points to light-touch upkeep rather than neglect of safety-critical systems. The mileage profile is notably low for an eight-year-old vehicle. From the clean pass at 29,467 miles on 24 March 2023 to the November 2025 test at 47,423 miles, the car covered roughly 17,956 miles in just under three years, averaging close to 6,000 miles per year. The gap between the November 2024 test at 39,440 miles and the November 2025 test at 47,423 miles alone accounts for 7,983 miles in twelve months, confirming the vehicle saw consistent use during that period rather than long-term standing. No mileage anomalies or reversals appear in the record, and the progression aligns with a lower-mileage commuter or second-car pattern. The sparse number of tests, only five entries across roughly three and a half years, limits deeper trend analysis but the available data is internally consistent. A buyer inspecting this Duster in person should focus on three areas the MOT record repeatedly surfaces. First, tyres: perishing and low tread have appeared in consecutive tests, so check all four sidewalls for cracking, especially on the nearside rear and offside front, and verify tread depth meets the 1.6 mm minimum with adequate margin. Second, front brake components: the discs were flagged as worn and pitted in both November 2024 and November 2025, indicating the pads and discs have been running close to service limits for at least a year; inspect disc thickness, lipping, and pad depth rather than relying solely on the pass. Third, lighting and alignment: the headlamp aim failure on 14 November 2025 suggests possible impact damage, suspension sag, or simply an unadjusted aim; verify both headlamp beams are level and correctly aimed before purchase. Beyond these recurring items, examine the underside for corrosion, particularly around suspension mounting points and the exhaust system, as the Duster's value-conscious construction can make it susceptible to surface rust in damp UK conditions.