2016 Dacia Sandero 1.5L Diesel · SJ65 ABR

The Dacia Sandero presents a clean MOT history over the past three years, with no defects recorded in any of the five tests between February 2023 and January 2026. The most recent January 2026 retest—just 16 miles after the initial failure—confirmed the vehicle’s roadworthiness without advisories, suggesting any prior issues were either trivial or swiftly addressed. This consistency indicates stable mechanical condition, though the January 2026 failure (with no defects listed) is unusual and may imply administrative error or a minor oversight during the first test. For a buyer, this record suggests the car has been maintained to pass inspections, but the lack of advisories or defects does not preclude hidden wear from its high mileage. The mileage accumulation is aggressive for a vehicle of this age, with 132,182 miles logged in just over 10 years—an average of roughly 13,200 miles annually. The gap between the 2024 and 2025 tests shows a 18,646-mile jump (from 110,405 to 129,051 miles) in under a year, a rate that accelerates wear on suspension components, brake systems, and drivetrain seals. The January 2026 tests, however, cover only a 126-mile span, hinting at either a brief period of inactivity or a deliberate slowdown before sale. Such mileage patterns typically correlate with commercial or intensive private use, which may have masked deferred maintenance on less visible areas like coil springs, ball joints, or exhaust mounting points. Given the absence of advisories or defects, a buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of high-wear areas, particularly the suspension geometry and brake hardware. Check for uneven tyre wear, which could signal misalignment or worn suspension bushes, and verify the condition of coil springs for sagging or corrosion. The rear brakes should be tested for binding or uneven pad wear, as Dacia models of this era have occasionally suffered from caliper sticking. Structural integrity is less of a concern given the clean MOT history, but a close look at wheel arches, sills, and underbody panels for corrosion—especially in the UK’s salty climate—is prudent. The exhaust system should also be examined for leaks or rust, as high-mileage vehicles often develop minor exhaust emissions issues that don’t always trigger MOT failures.