2018 Dacia Sandero 0.9L Petrol · RJ18 HSN

The 2018 Dacia Sandero presents a stable and improving maintenance trend, culminating in a clean pass on 3 September 2025 at 64,838 miles with zero defects recorded. That clean pass followed a same-day failure for an offside headlamp aim and an inoperative levelling device, both of which were rectified before the retest. The trajectory from 2023 to 2025 shows a vehicle that has moved from repeated minor advisories to a fully compliant state, suggesting the last keeper addressed outstanding issues promptly rather than ignoring them. The mileage accumulation is consistent and unremarkable for an eight-year-old car. Between the September 2023 test at 45,049 miles and the September 2025 test at 64,838 miles, the car covered 19,789 miles in two years, averaging just under 9,900 miles annually. That is a step up from the earlier average of roughly 8,105 miles per year, but it remains within normal parameters and does not raise concerns about excessive wear or suspiciously low use. The record is clean, with no gaps or missing years, and the steady annual testing pattern indicates regular use rather than long periods of dormancy. The recurring theme across the history is headlamp aim. Both the nearside and offside lamps were flagged as aiming too low in the September 2023 failure, and the offside lamp failed again on aim and levelling in September 2025 before being corrected. Repeated headlamp aim faults on a budget hatchback like the Sandero often point to worn suspension bushes or sagging coil springs altering ride height, rather than simply a bulb adjustment issue. A prospective buyer should inspect the front suspension components, particularly the lower arm bushes and strut mounts, and check whether the vehicle sits level on its springs. The nearside front wheel distortion noted in 2023 also warrants a close look at the wheel rim and tyre condition, as a bent wheel can indicate kerb impact or pothole damage that may have stressed the steering and suspension geometry. Beyond the flagged items, the Sandero's simplicity means there is little complex hardware to worry about, but the usual checks apply. Inspect the brake discs and pads for uneven wear, examine the exhaust for corrosion or blowing, and look underneath for any signs of structural rust on the subframe or suspension mounting points. The clean 2025 pass is reassuring, yet the pattern of headlamp faults suggests the suspension and ride height deserve particular attention before purchase.