2014 Dacia Sandero 1.1L Petrol · SW14 ECX

The most recent MOT, conducted on 08 April 2026 at 84,770 miles, resulted in a failure, meaning this Dacia Sandero is currently unroadworthy. The maintenance trend is clearly worsening. While the vehicle passed cleanly in May 2024, the 2025 and 2026 tests reveal a significant escalation in defects, moving from a fractured coil spring to serious structural corrosion and braking system faults. The car has failed its last two attempted tests, indicating a period of neglect rather than ongoing upkeep. The mileage accumulation of roughly 7,064 miles per year is entirely typical for a 2014 vehicle, suggesting regular daily use rather than long-term standing. The 4,065 miles covered between the April 2025 and April 2026 tests confirms consistent driving. The MOT record itself is fairly comprehensive for recent years, showing annual testing, but the sharp decline in the vehicle's condition between the clean 2024 pass and the subsequent failures suggests the current owner may have stopped investing in preventative repairs. A buyer must treat the 2026 failure items as serious structural and mechanical red flags, not simple cosmetic fixes. The tester identified significantly reduced strength and continuity in the offside front seat belt anchorage area within the outer sill, alongside corrosion on the nearside sill. This is not surface rust; it is a primary structural concern that directly affects occupant restraint integrity and may indicate deeper corrosion requiring welding rather than simple treatment. The rear braking system is also compromised, with an imbalanced axle and inadequate effort at the offside rear wheel, pointing toward a binding caliper, contaminated brake fluid, or a failing wheel cylinder that demands immediate hydraulic and mechanical inspection. Beyond the outright failures, the recurring advisories and minor faults paint a picture of a car with tired suspension components. The front upper anti-roll bar bushes and the nearside lower suspension arm ball joint were flagged as worn in the latest test, and the offside front coil spring was fractured during the 2025 test cycle. Any prospective buyer should put the car on a ramp to thoroughly inspect the sill seams, subframe mounting points, and brake hardlines for advanced corrosion, while also checking the condition of all suspension bushes and ball joints for excessive play.