2021 Dacia Sandero Stepway Comfort TCE 1.0L Petrol · YY71 FSF

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 2021 Dacia Sandero Stepway Comfort TCe was conducted on 27 October 2025, resulting in a clean pass with no defects or advisories recorded. The previous test on 17 October 2024 also returned a pass with no defects, establishing a consistent two-year pattern of clean examinations. With no advisories logged across either recorded test, there is no documentary evidence of emerging brake wear, suspension deterioration, tyre condition issues, corrosion, or lighting defects. This presents a stable maintenance trend, suggesting the vehicle has been kept in good roadworthy condition in the periods leading up to each annual examination, though it should be noted that MOT testing is a snapshot in time and does not guarantee mechanical perfection between tests. The recorded mileage of 45,436 miles on a five-year-old vehicle equates to an annual average of approximately 9,087 miles, which is broadly typical for a car of this age and class in the UK. There are no extreme gaps or sudden surges in usage visible from the available MOT history that would suggest long periods of standing or exceptionally hard motorway use. This average rate of accumulation should result in predictable wear across the braking system, tyres, and service items such as the timing chain, clutch, and fluid renewals. At this mileage point, the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine would be approaching or due for inspection of its timing chain assembly, coolant, and spark plugs, while the manual gearbox and clutch should have substantial life remaining if the vehicle has not been subjected to repeated heavy urban use. Given the clean MOT record and moderate mileage, a prospective buyer should focus on age- and calendar-related deterioration rather than chasing specific advisory items. The five-year-old tyres, while possibly retaining adequate tread depth, may show signs of sidewall perishing or cracking from age-related rubber degradation, particularly if the vehicle has been stored outdoors; physical inspection of the sidewalls for hairline cracks and checking the tyre manufacture date stamp on the sidewall is advisable. The 12V battery in modern Dacias typically suffers reduced service life after five to six years, so verifying the battery's date code and having a load test performed is sensible. Brake discs, even with relatively low mileage, can develop surface corrosion from standing or infrequent use, leading to binding calipers or juddering under braking, so a firm test-drive brake application from around 30 mph should be carried out to detect warped components or sticky slide pins. Coolant, brake fluid, and gearbox oil all degrade over time irrespective of mileage, and a full service history stamp audit combined with confirmation of recent fluid renewals would provide reassurance. Finally, the test drive itself should replicate real-world conditions including kerb manoeuvres, town traffic, and a short motorway section if possible. Listen for any clonks or rattles from the suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, paying particular attention to the anti-roll bar bushes, drop links, and rear torsion beam bushes which can wear on Stepway variants given their slightly raised ride height and increased unsprung weight from the body cladding. Inspect the underside and wheel arch liners for any evidence of corrosion, particularly around the rear axle and exhaust mounting points, as Dacia's budget construction can be susceptible to surface oxidation even at modest mileages. Verify that the engine management light extinguishes promptly after start-up and that the turbo spools smoothly without hesitation or whistling, as the small-capacity TCe unit can suffer from wastegate or boost pressure issues. Check for oil leaks around the cam cover, sump, and turbo oil feed pipe, and ensure the clutch bite point is high but firm without slipping under hard acceleration. With the clean MOT history as a starting point, these physical and functional checks will round out a thorough pre-purchase evaluation.