Dacia Duster MOT pass rate and common problems
81.7% of 101,982 Dacia Duster MOT tests pass.
The Duster has a pass rate of 81.7%, a little higher than the average across all Dacia models (79.2%).
The Dacia Duster has a pass rate of 81.7%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Dacia Duster?
This is the average across every Dacia Duster in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Dacia’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Dacia Duster tested at 0–3 years pass 92.0% of the time, compared with just 67.1% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 92.0% | 10,646 | 22,923 miles |
| 3–6 years | 86.5% | 44,981 | 35,725 miles |
| 6–10 years | 77.3% | 34,259 | 63,731 miles |
| 10–15 years | 67.1% | 12,089 | 85,660 miles |
| 15+ years | too few tests (7) | 7 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Dacia Duster
The most common reason the Dacia Duster fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 59.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Projected beam image is obviously incorrect".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 59.4% | Projected beam image is obviously incorrect |
| Brakes | 27.4% | Excessively corroded |
| Visibility | 21.5% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 19.1% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Suspension | 15.9% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Body, chassis, structure | 9.4% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Steering | 7.4% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.5% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.6% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.6% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Dacia Duster: what to check
These checks follow the Dacia Duster’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Dacia Duster comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 77.3% to 67.1%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 83.1% down to 73.0%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 59.4% of failed Dacia Duster MOTs. 22.6% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 7.9% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 27.4% of failed Dacia Duster MOTs. 21.8% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 1.1% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 21.5% of failed Dacia Duster MOTs. 7.3% of tests at 10–15 years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 2.3% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 19.1% of failed Dacia Duster MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Suspension
Recorded in 15.9% of failed Dacia Duster MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 14.1% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Dacia service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Dacia models
- Dacia Sandero — 76.6% pass rate
- Dacia Logan — 78.5% pass rate
- Dacia Sandero Stepway — 93.0% pass rate
- Dacia Sandero Sway — 95.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Dacia Duster?
- 81.7% of Dacia Duster MOT tests pass, based on 101,982 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Dacia Duster?
- The most common reason the Dacia Duster fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 59.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Projected beam image is obviously incorrect".
- What are the common problems with the Dacia Duster?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Dacia Duster are lights and electrics; brakes; windscreen and wipers. 22.6% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 7.9% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Dacia Duster?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; windscreen and wipers; tyres; suspension. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Dacia Duster's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Dacia service history guide for how to check and keep one.