Dacia Sandero Sway MOT pass rate and common problems
95.0% of 1,775 Dacia Sandero Sway MOT tests pass.
The Sandero Sway passes its MOT 95.0% of the time — well above the average across all Dacia models, which sits at 79.2%.
The Dacia Sandero Sway passes its MOT 95.0% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Dacia Sandero Sway?
This is the average across every Dacia Sandero Sway 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 stays relatively stable with age: 95.4% at 0–3 years versus 93.8% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 95.4% | 1,423 | 18,442 miles |
| 3–6 years | 93.8% | 352 | 23,491 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Dacia Sandero Sway
The most common reason the Dacia Sandero Sway fails its MOT is visibility — present in 35.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Does not clear the windscreen effectively".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 35.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 35.9% | Too high |
| Tyres | 26.3% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Brakes | 10.9% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.8% | Not functioning as intended |
| Suspension | 3.2% | Mounting insecure to the extent that relative movement is visible |
| Seat belt installation check | 1.3% | Has cut and/or reworked original webbing |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.3% | Missing |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.6% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
Buying a used Dacia Sandero Sway: what to check
These checks follow the Dacia Sandero Sway’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.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 95.5% down to 92.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 35.9% of failed Dacia Sandero Sway MOTs. 8.8% of tests at 3–6 years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.8% 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.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 35.9% of failed Dacia Sandero Sway MOTs.
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.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 26.3% of failed Dacia Sandero Sway 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.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 10.9% of failed Dacia Sandero Sway MOTs.
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.
5. Seat belts and airbags
Recorded in 3.8% of failed Dacia Sandero Sway MOTs.
Pull every seat belt out fully and let it retract. Check the buckles latch and release, and that the airbag warning light goes out after starting.
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 Duster — 81.7% pass rate
- Dacia Logan — 78.5% pass rate
- Dacia Sandero Stepway — 93.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Dacia Sandero Sway?
- 95.0% of Dacia Sandero Sway MOT tests pass, based on 1,775 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Dacia Sandero Sway?
- The most common reason the Dacia Sandero Sway fails its MOT is visibility — present in 35.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Does not clear the windscreen effectively".
- What are the common problems with the Dacia Sandero Sway?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Dacia Sandero Sway are windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics; tyres. 8.8% of tests at 3–6 years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.8% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Dacia Sandero Sway?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics; tyres; brakes; seat belts and airbags. 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 Sandero Sway'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.