2022 Dacia Sandero Stepway Essential TCE 1.0L Petrol · SC71 HBZ

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 2022 Dacia Sandero Stepway Essential TCe was conducted on 14 January 2026, at which point the vehicle passed with no defects or advisories recorded against it. The prior test on 27 January 2025 also resulted in a clean pass with no recorded defects, indicating a stable and consistent maintenance trend across consecutive annual examinations. With two consecutive pass entries and an absence of advisories relating to wear items such as tyres, brakes, suspension components, or exhaust systems, the official test history suggests the vehicle has been maintained to a satisfactory roadworthy standard throughout the period covered by the records. While the absence of advisory notes is reassuring, it is worth noting that MOT testing is a minimum standards assessment and does not guarantee mechanical perfection, particularly for components such as the clutch, gearbox, or interior electrical systems which fall outside the scope of the test. With a recorded mileage of 18,848 miles over approximately four years, this Sandero Stepway is achieving around 4,712 miles annually, which is notably below the national average and represents low usage for a vehicle of its age. This lower-than-average mileage pattern can indicate gentler wear on high-mileage components such as the clutch, brake friction materials, and drivetrain, but it also raises the likelihood of issues associated with prolonged standing or short-trip use, including battery degradation, fluid stagnation, and surface corrosion on brake discs and calipers from infrequent operation. Prospective buyers should be mindful that low recorded mileage does not always equate to a mechanically superior vehicle, as calendar-based degradation of components such as rubber seals, coolant, brake fluid, and tyres can still occur regardless of distance covered. There is no evidence in the MOT history of any significant mileage gaps or rapid accumulation between test entries that would suggest inconsistent usage patterns. Given the clean MOT history and the relatively low annual mileage, a prospective buyer should focus their pre-purchase evaluation on age-related and standing-related deterioration rather than mileage-related wear. The tyres should be carefully inspected for sidewall perishing and cracking, as rubber compounds degrade with age regardless of tread depth, and any tyres fitted more than five or six years ago should be replaced regardless of remaining tread. The 12V battery is particularly susceptible to failure on low-mileage vehicles that may have undergone extended periods of standing or frequent short journeys that do not allow full recharge, so a battery health check or evidence of recent replacement would be advisable. Brake discs and calipers should be examined for surface corrosion, pitting, and binding, as standing vehicles commonly develop rusty discs that may cause initial juddering or uneven pad wear once the vehicle is returned to regular use, and a thorough test drive should include multiple firm brake applications from moderate speed to confirm smooth, even stopping without vibration or pulling. A test drive should also include careful attention to the cold-start behaviour, particularly any signs of rough idle, excessive exhaust smoke, or hesitation that could indicate degraded spark plugs, coil packs, or fuel system components affected by infrequent use. The engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and gearbox oil should be verified as recently serviced in line with time-based intervals rather than purely mileage-based schedules, as the latter may not have been triggered given the low annual distance covered. The service book should be examined for consistent annual or biennial stamp entries regardless of mileage, confirming that essential time-based maintenance such as cambelt or timing chain inspection intervals, brake fluid replacement every two years, and coolant renewal have not been overlooked. Finally, a check for any moisture ingress, musty odours, or interior electrical faults should be undertaken, as standing vehicles can develop issues with clogged HVAC drains, deteriorated door seals, and condensation-related electrical gremlins that would not necessarily appear on an MOT certificate but could prove costly to remedy.