2017 Dacia Duster 1.5L Diesel · SA17 LPS

The Dacia Duster presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT on 30 April 2026 at 54,848 miles resulted in a clear pass, but only after a failure on the same day. That failure flagged a fractured offside front coil spring, a non-negotiable structural suspension defect, alongside a fouled nearside front tyre and a non-functioning nearside headlamp. The fact that these were rectified within hours suggests a reactive fix rather than proactive care. The trend is not cleanly stable or worsening; it shows a pattern of minor advisories persisting across years, punctuated by a sudden, serious suspension failure that required immediate attention. The mileage accumulation is consistent and unremarkable. From 39,645 miles in May 2023 to 44,704 miles in May 2024, then 49,668 miles in April 2025, and finally 54,848 miles in April 2026, the vehicle has covered roughly 5,000 miles per year. This steady, low-mileage pattern implies light use, yet the fractured coil spring at under 55,000 miles is atypical for a vehicle of this age and suggests either a manufacturing defect, poor road conditions, or a lack of pre-emptive suspension inspection by the previous keeper. Buyers should treat the April 2026 failure as a red flag for the entire front suspension set-up. A fractured coil spring places sudden, uneven loads on the opposite side's spring, dampers, and top mounts. Inspect both front coil springs for cracks or corrosion, check the front dampers for oil misting indicating seal failure, and examine the front suspension top mounts and wishbone bushes for excessive play or perishing. The repeated advisory for the offside rear tyre cracking or perishing, noted in every test from 2024 through 2026, points to a tyre that has been perished for at least two years. This is not a sudden puncture but long-term rubber degradation, likely from age or under-inflation, and the tyre should be replaced regardless of remaining tread depth. The 2023 advisory for worn front brake pads at 39,645 miles, followed by no further brake-related advisories in subsequent tests, indicates the pads were replaced and the braking system is currently in acceptable order. However, the nearside front tyre fouling noted in the April 2026 failure warrants a close check of the inner wheel arch liner and any under-tray for damage or misalignment. A tyre fouling a component can rapidly cause a blowout. Have a technician put the vehicle on a lift, rotate both front wheels by hand, and inspect the full inner sidewall clearance with the steering at full lock in both directions.