Most Reliable Dacia Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 180,129 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Dacia models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
180,129 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Dacia model from 1989-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Dacia DUSTER
74.5% pass rate
Best Single Year
SANDERO STEPWAY SE TWENTY TCE 2020 Petrol
87.7% pass rate
Dacia vs National Average
72.0% vs 71.4%
+0.5% above average
Durability Champion
N/A
N/A
Dacia sits near the middle of UK manufacturer rankings. We analysed 180,129 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to identify which Dacia models outperform the brand average and which to avoid.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering Dacia models sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Dacia Compares to Rivals
Dacia ranks #127 out of 180 manufacturers with a 72.0% average MOT pass rate. That's above the national average of 71.4%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | 73.8% | #115 | 1,637,457 |
| Dacia | 72.0% | #127 | 180,129 |
| Volkswagen | 71.9% | #129 | 3,034,850 |
| Nissan | 68.6% | #142 | 1,626,183 |
| Ford | 68.5% | #143 | 4,473,074 |
| Vauxhall | 65.4% | #155 | 3,052,659 |
The verdict: Toyota maintains a lead among competitors, while Dacia sits at #127.
Best Dacia Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Dacia's core models rank against the 71.4% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.4%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DUSTER | 74.5% | +3.1% | 64,378 | 1989-2023 |
| LOGAN | 71.5% | +0.1% | 15,937 | 2005-2021 |
| SANDERO | 70.4% | -1.1% | 99,607 | 1999-2023 |
* Compared to overall 71.4% national average across all years. For year-adjusted comparisons that account for newer cars passing more often, see individual model breakdowns below.
Proven Durability Champions: Which Dacia Models Age Best?
Long-term MOT data shows mixed results for Dacia durability. Here's how specific models compare to the national average for cars of the same age:
High-confidence data: Only vehicles with 11+ years of MOT history and 100+ tests are included in this ranking.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|
How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age. These are proven results from vehicles that have genuinely aged well.
Dacia SANDERO: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The SANDERO has 99,607 tests in our database with an overall 70.4% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Petrol | 84.9% | -2.8% | 8,900 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 78.2% | -8.1% | 12,323 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 78.1% | -6.2% | 11,561 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 74.9% | -9.3% | 1,132 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 74.4% | -7.3% | 11,239 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 69.8% | -11.8% | 3,722 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 70.8% | -7.8% | 9,869 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 65.4% | -13.3% | 4,730 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 63.8% | -11.6% | 9,912 |
| 2015 | Diesel | 55.6% | -19.9% | 4,967 |
| 2014 | Petrol | 61.8% | -9.9% | 8,038 |
| 2014 | Diesel | 52.8% | -18.9% | 4,899 |
| ... | ||||
| 2015 | Diesel | 55.6% | -19.9% | 4,967 |
| 2014 | Diesel | 52.8% | -18.9% | 4,899 |
| 2013 | Diesel | 58.9% | -9.4% | 2,064 |
SANDERO verdict: Avoid the 2015 diesel (55.6%).
Avoid 2013-2015 SANDEROs
The 2015 diesel SANDERO has a 55.6% pass rate, well below the national average.
Dacia DUSTER: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The DUSTER has 64,378 tests in our database with an overall 74.5% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Petrol | 84.4% | -3.3% | 7,162 |
| 2020 | Diesel | 80.0% | -7.7% | 806 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 80.5% | -5.7% | 13,009 |
| 2019 | Diesel | 79.6% | -6.6% | 1,973 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 79.0% | -5.2% | 3,019 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 76.8% | -7.5% | 5,625 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 78.8% | -2.8% | 2,320 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 77.0% | -4.7% | 4,116 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 74.4% | -4.3% | 1,127 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 72.8% | -5.9% | 5,949 |
| 2015 | Diesel | 68.6% | -6.9% | 5,603 |
| 2014 | Diesel | 62.5% | -9.2% | 5,210 |
| ... | ||||
| 2013 | Diesel | 59.0% | -9.2% | 6,007 |
| 2013 | Petrol | 56.9% | -11.4% | 622 |
DUSTER verdict: Avoid the 2013 diesel (59.0%).
Avoid 2013 and 2013 DUSTERs
The 2013 diesel DUSTER has a 59.0% pass rate, well below the national average.
Dacia LOGAN: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The LOGAN has 15,937 tests in our database with an overall 71.5% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Petrol | 82.1% | -5.5% | 621 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 77.8% | -8.4% | 1,622 |
| 2019 | Diesel | 74.9% | -11.3% | 729 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 76.1% | -8.1% | 1,328 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 72.6% | -11.7% | 514 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 74.9% | -6.8% | 991 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 71.8% | -9.9% | 1,338 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 74.5% | -4.1% | 1,149 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 73.1% | -5.5% | 1,688 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 67.1% | -8.4% | 1,204 |
| 2015 | Diesel | 62.9% | -12.5% | 1,894 |
| 2014 | Petrol | 65.0% | -6.7% | 817 |
LOGAN verdict:
Dacia Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Reliability varies by fuel type for Dacia. Here's how each performs:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas Bi-fuel | 81.4% | +10.0% | 835 |
| Petrol | 74.8% | +3.3% | 116,649 |
| Diesel | 66.6% | -4.8% | 62,626 |
Dacia Models to Avoid
Not all Dacias are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:
| Model | Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SANDERO | 2015 | Diesel | 55.6% | 4,967 |
| SANDERO | 2014 | Diesel | 52.8% | 4,899 |
| SANDERO | 2016 | Diesel | 65.4% | 4,730 |
| LOGAN | 2015 | Diesel | 62.9% | 1,894 |
| SANDERO | 2017 | Diesel | 69.8% | 3,721 |
| LOGAN | 2018 | Diesel | 72.6% | 514 |
| SANDERO | 2015 | Petrol | 63.8% | 9,912 |
| DUSTER | 2013 | Petrol | 56.9% | 622 |
| LOGAN | 2019 | Diesel | 74.9% | 724 |
| DUSTER | 2014 | Petrol | 61.6% | 609 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2014-2017 diesel/petrol SANDEROs, 2015-2019 diesel LOGANs, 2013-2014 petrol DUSTERs are the models that drag down Dacia's average. These models have significantly higher failure rates than average.
What Goes Wrong on Dacias?
When Dacias fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 22,006 |
| 2. Visibility | 12,411 |
| 3. Suspension | 10,300 |
| 4. Brakes | 9,793 |
| 5. Tyres | 8,838 |
| 6. Body, chassis, structure | 6,639 |
| 7. Noise, emissions and leaks | 2,667 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Dacia owners:
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Clean windscreen and check wiper blade condition
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Ensure tyres meet 1.6mm tread requirement
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- SANDERO STEPWAY SE TWENTY TCE 2020 Petrol: 88% pass rate
- DUSTER SE TWENTY TCE 4X2 2020 Petrol: 86% pass rate
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- Limited proven durability data available
Dacia Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- DUSTER (11-14 years): -6% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average at 11-14 years)
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 180,129 tests on Dacia vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 100 tests for proven durability rankings, 100 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.44% based on 32,300,000 tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
Check Any Vehicle's MOT History
Get the full MOT history, mileage records, and reliability insights for any UK vehicle. Make an informed decision before you buy.
Run a Free Check