2017 Dacia Duster 1.2L Petrol · RK67 KXO

A pattern of recurring front-end and tyre wear advisories defines the mechanical story of this 2017 Dacia Duster, suggesting that consumables around the front axle and the four contact patches have been working hard throughout its life. The most recent test on 23 December 2025 passed, but it did so with five advisories, a markedly higher count than the clean pass recorded on 9 January 2024. Both front brake discs were flagged as worn, pitted or scored though not seriously weakened, while the nearside front tyre was again noted as worn close to the legal limit, a repeat issue after similar advisories in January 2023 and December 2024. The earlier December 2024 attempt failed outright on headlamp aim before passing the same day on a re-test, indicating a one-off alignment or bulb seating issue rather than a chronic electrical fault. Overall the trend is one of stable roadworthiness at the pass/fail boundary but with a noticeable accumulation of front-end wear items that warrant close physical inspection before purchase. With 70,192 miles recorded across roughly nine years, the Duster has covered approximately 7,800 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and class. There are no significant gaps in the annual testing cycle that would suggest a prolonged period off the road, and the mileage progression between tests appears consistent with regular daily use rather than long-term storage or exceptional motorway mileage. At this accumulation rate, mechanical wear on the clutch, turbocharger (where fitted), suspension bushes and engine mountings should be proportionate to the odometer reading rather than artificially low. The usage pattern is therefore a neutral factor in the assessment, neither reducing nor amplifying the concerns raised by the advisory history. For a prospective buyer, the front brake discs should be the first item physically examined, as pitting and scoring on both sides simultaneously typically points to either pad wear exceeding service life or persistent bedding issues. On a test drive, listen for any brake pedal judder under firm application from around 30 mph, which would confirm the discs have worn beyond their minimum thickness and require replacement rather than just a pad swap. The nearside front tyre edge wear noted across multiple tests suggests a tracking or suspension geometry issue that has not been fully resolved; during the test drive, pay particular attention to steering pull to the left under braking or on a straight motorway section, and inspect the inner and outer shoulders of both front tyres for uneven feathering. Any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over speed humps would also indicate worn bushes or droplinks that may not yet have reached advisory status but are likely approaching it on a vehicle of this mileage. The tyre cracking and perishing advisories on both rear tyres in the latest test are worth addressing promptly regardless of remaining tread depth, as Dacia-spec tyres of this age often suffer sidewall degradation from UV exposure. Confirm that all four tyres are of matching brand, size and tread pattern, as mismatched tyres on a part-time 4WD vehicle of this type can induce drivetrain bind. Finally, verify that the headlamp aim correction flagged in late 2024 has been properly set, as poorly adjusted beams will cause an immediate MOT failure on the same item at the next test, and check for any free play in the headlamp levelling mechanism or cracked lens diffusers that may be allowing moisture ingress behind the bulbs.