2014 Dacia Sandero 0.9L Petrol · WL14 AAK

A pattern of emerging tyre defects dominates the roadworthiness profile of this 2014 Dacia Sandero, breaking what had been three consecutive clean passes between 2023 and early 2025. The trajectory turned at the January 2025 test, where an offside rear tyre with a structural bulge was deemed Dangerous, resulting in an immediate failure, accompanied by an advisory for perished or damaged nearside rear rubber. The vehicle subsequently passed a retest on the same day, but the issue recurred at the most recent examination on 8 January 2026, when both front tyres were flagged as worn close to the legal limit and on their edges. The progression from no recorded defects through a dangerous structural failure to ongoing edge-wear advisories suggests the tyre condition is a live concern rather than a resolved one, and any prospective purchase must treat the four tyres as an immediate cost item rather than deferred maintenance. Annual mileage on this twelve-year-old Sandero averages roughly 2,900 miles, which is notably low and consistent with either light personal use or extended periods of standing. Such low accumulation typically means the engine, clutch, transmission, and braking components have seen limited mechanical work, but it also raises the possibility of degradation associated with inactivity, particularly to rubber components, underbody seals, brake hydraulic systems, and exterior trim. There are no significant gaps between annual tests in the DVSA record, so the vehicle does not appear to have been off the road for prolonged unregistered periods, although the very low mileage between 2024 and 2026 indicates that the car is likely being used for short, infrequent journeys where components are not being thoroughly exercised. Given the advisory history, the front tyres are the priority check, and a physical inspection of both sidewalls and tread shoulders should be carried out to confirm whether the edge wear is uneven, which would point to a tracking or suspension geometry issue rather than simple age-related wear. The rear axle history is also relevant, as the dangerous bulge of January 2025 could have been the result of an impact or kerbing event that may have upset rear wheel alignment or damaged a component out of sight. On a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly from the wishbones, drop links, and anti-roll bar bushes, and pay close attention to steering behaviour; any pulling to one side or vibration through the wheel would be consistent with the edge wear pattern recorded. Brake feel should be firm from the first application, as low-mileage vehicles can suffer from seized caliper slides or corroded pistons that bind rather than release cleanly. A final mechanical focus should be the underside and ancillaries that rarely get inspected during routine MOT preparation. With only around 34,830 recorded miles spread over twelve years, the underbody should be examined for surface corrosion, particularly around suspension mounting points, brake pipes, and the rear subframe, as long periods of damp standing can accelerate rust even at low mileages. All fluid levels and their condition should be verified, especially brake fluid, which can degrade over time regardless of mileage. The exhaust should be checked for blowing joints or corrosion around the mounting rubbers, and the cooling system hoses and auxiliary drive belts inspected for perishing. While the MOT record does not flag these areas, they are consistent points of attention for a low-mileage, ageing supermini and should form part of a thorough physical inspection before purchase.