2017 Dacia Duster 1.5L Diesel · YA66 AHP

The 2017 Dacia Duster passed its most recent MOT on 14 August 2025 at 93,454 miles, but the record reveals a mixed maintenance picture. Three days prior, the same vehicle failed with a serious fluid leak from the offside front shock absorber, an inoperative engine MIL, a misaimed headlamp, a failed central stop light, and a worn nearside front tyre. The pass on the 14th suggests these items were rectified quickly, yet the shock absorber leak appearing so close to the pass date raises questions about the depth of the repair. The trend is neither clearly improving nor worsening; it shows reactive fixes rather than consistent preventative care. The mileage progression tells a clear story. Between the September 2023 test at 63,304 miles and the August 2024 test at 77,870 miles, the Duster covered 14,566 miles in roughly eleven months, a sharp acceleration from the earlier average of around 10,000 miles per year. By August 2025, the odometer read 93,454 miles, meaning it added another 15,584 miles in just twelve months. This is a high annual rate for a nine-year-old budget SUV, and the MOT record reflects the consequences: repeated tyre wear advisories, a binding rear brake flagged in 2024, and shock absorber degradation appearing in both 2023 and 2025. The 2023 failure also noted a worn central rear prop shaft bearing with slight play, a drivetrain item that demands attention if vibration or drivetrain clunks are present. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and drivetrain. The recurring shock absorber leaks, particularly the serious offside front leak in 2025 and the nearside rear misting in 2023, suggest the dampers are at or past serviceable life. Check for uneven tyre wear patterns, especially on the inner edges, which appeared as advisories in both 2023 and 2025 and often points to worn suspension bushes or tracking drift. The 2024 advisory for a binding offside rear brake and the 2023 prop shaft bearing wear warrant a road test to feel for dragging brakes, driveline vibration under acceleration, or a failing handbrake. Inspect the exhaust manifold and downpipe for signs of the coolant leak noted in 2023, as even a resolved leak can leave corrosion that compromises structural integrity over time. The repeated headlamp aim faults suggest possible accident damage or loose mounting points, so check panel gaps and headlamp bracket condition.