2013 Dacia Duster — MOT failures & pass rate
41,902 MOT tests on the 2013 Dacia Duster are in this dataset, and 75.3% of them passed. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 20.5% of the time, so this is 4.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.1% of all tests — 3.6 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, headlamp aim and joints — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 4,691 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 33.3% versus 13.2%.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 24.7% of the time against 25.1% for petrol.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 40.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 21.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 5,907 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.5% | 4,410 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.8% | 3,257 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.6% | 2,744 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.5% | 2,322 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.5% | 1,906 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 4,691 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 3,340 |
| 3 | Joints | 1,779 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 1,590 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 1,511 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 1,506 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 40.7% | 17,054 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.7% | 12,456 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.4% | 11,467 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 3,763 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.7% | 3,656 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.2% | 3,453 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,469 | 13.2% |
| 30-60k | 9,348 | 18.9% |
| 60-90k | 16,435 | 25.1% |
| 90-120k | 10,042 | 28.3% |
| 120-150k | 3,435 | 30.7% |
| 150k+ | 1,146 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 38,002 | 24.7% |
| Petrol | 3,886 | 25.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,600 | 21.9% |
| 2022 | 8,662 | 23.3% |
| 2023 | 8,638 | 25.4% |
| 2024 | 8,223 | 26.2% |
| 2025 | 7,779 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Duster
On a 2013 Duster, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.5% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (7.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2013 Dacia Dusters pass their MOT?
75.3% of the 41,902 2013 Dacia Duster MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Dacia Duster?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by brakes (10.5%).
Does the 2013 Duster get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.2% in the 0-30k band to 33.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 41,902 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.