2023 Dacia Duster Expression TCE 4X2 1.3L Petrol · SA23 FHM

With only a single MOT test recorded, dated 21 May 2026 and resulting in a Pass, the available roadworthiness evidence for this 2023 Dacia Duster is limited but entirely free of failure categories. The test was clean from a defect perspective, with only a brake pad advisory and a minor windscreen damage item noted, indicating that at the point of test the vehicle met the minimum statutory standards without any advisories relating to corrosion, suspension wear, exhaust integrity, lighting, or structural condition. The brake pad advisory, however, is worth treating as a live maintenance item rather than a historical footnote, as pads flagged as wearing thin at the last test will, on a high-mileage example, have continued to wear and may now be closer to the minimum legal friction material thickness of 1.5mm or potentially require imminent replacement. The recorded mileage of 36,074 miles over approximately three years equates to an annual accumulation of around 12,000 miles, which is above the average for a vehicle of this age and places this Duster firmly in the higher-use category. Because only one MOT test is on record, there is no historical mileage progression to verify against, and the current odometer reading should be cross-checked against the V5C log book, service invoices, and any in-car trip computer or digital service history records to confirm the figure is genuine and consistent. Higher annual mileage of this nature generally accelerates wear on consumable components including brake pads, discs, tyres, clutch friction material, and engine oil service intervals, and it can also place greater load on suspension components such as coil springs, anti-roll bar links, and lower arm bushes, even if no defects have yet been recorded. A prospective buyer should prioritise a close physical inspection of the front brake system, given the advisory recorded at the last test. The condition of the front brake pads should be measured directly with a torch or by removing the wheel, looking for friction material thickness approaching or below 2mm, and the front brake discs should be checked for lipping, scoring, or corrosion pitting around the outer edge, as discs paired with worn pads often require simultaneous replacement. On a test drive, any pulling to one side under braking, vibration through the steering wheel, or a grinding or squealing noise from the front wheels would suggest the pads have worn further since the advisory was issued. The windscreen, noted as damaged but within the driver's view zone, should be inspected for any crack propagation, particularly along the edges, as temperature changes and road vibration can cause minor damage to extend into the critical swept area, at which point replacement becomes a legal requirement. Beyond the flagged items, the elevated mileage warrants a broader mechanical check proportionate to the use the vehicle has seen. On the test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which could indicate worn drop links, anti-roll bar bushes, or strut top mounts, and feel for any vagueness or knocking through the steering. With no corrosion advisories on the MOT record, a visual check of the wheel arches, underbody, and subframe mounting points is still worthwhile on any three-year-old vehicle, and the tyres should be examined for even wear across both axles, as uneven front tyre wear can point to tracking or suspension geometry issues. Finally, given the mileage accumulation, confirming that the cambelt or timing chain service interval, whichever applies to this TCe engine, has been observed to schedule, and that the most recent oil and filter change is documented, will be essential to verifying that the higher-than-average use has been accompanied by appropriate scheduled maintenance.