2018 Dacia Duster 1.6L Petrol · YP18 LLC

Two headlamp-related failures in consecutive years, both centring on the offside front lamp cluster, form the defining mechanical narrative of this Duster's MOT record. In March 2023 the offside front headlamp failed on dipped beam and the nearside front aim was too low; on the retest in March 2024 the offside lamp again presented an issue, this time with its aim being too low and the levelling device being inoperative. Each of these was classified as a Major or dangerous defect, meaning the vehicle would have been prohibited from use until repaired, yet the surrounding tests have otherwise been very clean. The most recent assessment on 1 April 2026 was a Pass with only advisories, the 2025 and 2023 tests were Passes with no recorded defects, and the 2021 test was also a clean Pass. The pattern therefore points specifically at the front lighting and levelling system rather than a broader mechanical decline, but the recurrence on the same corner is worth probing rather than dismissing as coincidence. Annual mileage on this Duster sits at roughly 11,200 miles per year over its eight-year life, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of its age and is consistent with steady, regular use rather than long lay-ups. The testing record shows annual MOTs from 2021 through 2026 with no gaps in coverage, which suggests the car has been on the road continuously and accumulating mileage year on year. At nearly 90,000 miles, the wear burden falls on the usual consumables and mid-life components for a Duster of this generation: suspension linkages, bushes, exhaust components, clutch and gearbox mounts, and the rear drum or disc brake hardware. There is no mileage discontinuity or extended off-road period recorded that would raise concerns about seized brakes, stale fluids, or deteriorated rubber, which is reassuring, but the mileage itself means that any perishable drivetrain component should be regarded as being within its service window. The advisories recorded in April 2026 and March 2022 share a common theme worth investigating before purchase. The current test noted oil misting from the steering rack together with perishing on both rear tyres between the treads, while the 2022 test flagged cracking and perishing on all four tyres. Although tyres are a normal wear item, the recurring pattern of sidewall and inter-tread cracking on the same vehicle across multiple tests is more consistent with age-related rubber deterioration than with accidental damage, and a prospective buyer should examine the current set carefully for hairline cracking, sidewall bulges, and the production date, and budget for a full set if any of the four are borderline. The steering rack oil misting is a more significant flag; it indicates a seal beginning to weep, and on a Duster at this mileage a failed rack seal can progress to a noticeable drip onto the subframe or front tyres and eventually require rack replacement. On a test drive, listen for a clonking or knocking from the front end over uneven surfaces, which would suggest worn drop links or anti-roll bar bushes, and check for uneven tyre wear across the front pair that might point to a binding caliper or geometry issue. Also confirm that the offside headlamp aim is set correctly and that the levelling motor operates smoothly through its range, as the historical failures here suggest the adjustment mechanism or its linkage may be prone to wear or corrosion. Beyond those flagged items, the buyer should carry out the usual checks expected of a high-mileage family SUV. With the headlamp failures in mind, inspect both front lamp clusters closely for moisture ingress, condensation inside the lens, and any loose or cracked mounting points that could allow the unit to drop out of alignment under vibration. Feel for steering pull under braking or acceleration, which would hint at worn engine or gearbox mountings, and listen for a steady whine from the front wheels on full-lock that could indicate a failing steering rack, the component already showing signs of seal wear. Finally, because no brake, suspension, exhaust, or corrosion advisories have been recorded across seven tests, there is no documented evidence in the MOT file of structural or underbody deterioration, but a visual inspection on a ramp remains advisable given the mileage and the fact that Dusters of this era are known to be sensitive to corrosion around the rear wheel arches, sills, and underbody bracing.