Model reliability

Dacia Sandero reliability

The Dacia Sandero fails its MOT more often than most cars 6 to 10 years old: 34.6% of 65,012 tests failed in 2023, against 24.4% on average.

Up to 5 years old

20.4% failed their MOT

Worse than most

From 33,516 MOT tests of Dacia Sanderos this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 3× as oftenWipers6.2% vs 2.1%

Fails 3× as oftenHeadlamp aim5.7% vs 1.7%Fix about £30

Fails 3× as oftenWashers2.8% vs 1.1%

Fails 4× as oftenHeadlamps2.8% vs 0.7%Fix about £30

Advised 76% more oftenTyre condition14.8% vs 8.4%Fix about £90

6 to 10 years old

34.6% failed their MOT

Worse than most

From 65,012 MOT tests of Dacia Sanderos this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 7× as oftenTransmission6.6% vs 0.9%

Fails 2× as oftenHeadlamp aim5.9% vs 2.5%Fix about £30

Fails 79% more oftenSprings4.3% vs 2.4%Fix about £150

Fails 2× as oftenWashers4.3% vs 2%

Advised 57% more oftenTyre condition16.2% vs 10.3%Fix about £90

Safety recalls

7 DVSA recalls for the Dacia Sandero

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/2021/36412 Oct 2021Built 2020–2021Poorly fitted fuel supply hose leading to a potential leak in the engine compartment

Poorly fitted fuel supply hose leading to a potential leak in the engine compartment.

Fix: Check the fuel system on all vehicles and replacing the fuel pipe.

Recalled models: SANDERO III · 571 vehicles

R/2020/3073 Nov 2020Built 2017–2018Risk of the key jamming in the start position causing potential damge to the starter motor.

There is a possible risk of the ignition switch not disengaging correctly after starting the vehicle resulting in the key jamming in the start position. In rare circumstances this may cause a thermal incident.

Fix: Replacement of the ignition switch.

Recalled models: SANDERO II · 2,611 vehicles

R/2020/00621 Jan 2020Built 2019The contact between the positive battery terminal and the alternator could cause an electrical short circuit

Contact between the positive battery terminal and the alternator could cause an electrical short circuit.

Fix: Modify the wiring route and if necessary replace the alternator.

Recalled models: SANDERO · 2 vehicles

R/2018/3714 Jan 2019Built 2018Driver's airbag may not deploy correctly during an impact

Drivers air bag may not deploy correctly.

Fix: Replace drivers air bag.

Recalled models: SANDERO · 1,963 vehicles

R/2018/14419 Jun 2018Built 2013–2015Risk of fuel leak

Risk of a diesel fuel leak in the engine bay

Fix: Fit a protective clip or replace pipe.

Recalled models: SANDERO · 15,168 vehicles

R/2016/30420 Dec 2016Built 2012–2013Drivers airbag may not deploy

It has been identified that due to an internal defect within the drivers air-bag if the SRS system detects an impact/collision which requires deployment of the air-bags then the drivers air-bag may not deploy. Therefore there is a risk of increased injury to the driver.

Fix: Recall all affected vehicles to check and if required replace the driver's air-bag with a new unit.

Recalled models: SANDERO · 1,048 vehicles

R/2016/00723 Feb 2016Built 2015Steering may fail

On a small number of vehicles the drive rotor at the ball join on the steering rod may break due to excessive stress.

Fix: On affected vehicles check steering rack type and if necessary replace.

Recalled models: SANDERO · 1,517 vehicles

Show all 7 recalls

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Dacia Sandero before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.

Dacia Sandero reliability

7 DVSA recalls for the Dacia Sandero

Checking a Dacia Sandero before you buy

Run this check on every listing, automatically.