2016 Dacia Sandero — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 88,486 MOT tests, the 2016 Dacia Sandero recorded an 81.2% pass rate. That is 3.2 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 15.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.3%) and suspension (6.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, headlamp aim and washers — joints alone was recorded 5,863 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.0% in the 0-30k band and 29.3% in the 150k+ band, a 18.3-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.8pp more often than petrol ones (20.7% vs 17.9%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 28.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 12.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.3% | 7,310 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.3% | 5,563 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.9% | 5,251 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.9% | 5,194 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.9% | 4,327 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.4% | 3,905 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 5,863 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 4,800 |
| 3 | Washers | 3,083 |
| 4 | Wipers | 2,947 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 2,833 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 2,336 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 28.3% | 25,062 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.2% | 16,088 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.4% | 6,521 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.3% | 6,500 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 2,602 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.7% | 1,471 |
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 | 19,440 | 11.0% |
| 30-60k | 42,713 | 18.2% |
| 60-90k | 20,028 | 24.7% |
| 90-120k | 4,935 | 28.3% |
| 120-150k | 1,052 | 30.0% |
| 150k+ | 304 | 29.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 59,120 | 17.9% |
| Diesel | 29,352 | 20.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16,660 | 12.7% |
| 2022 | 17,370 | 16.1% |
| 2023 | 17,879 | 19.1% |
| 2024 | 18,115 | 21.6% |
| 2025 | 18,462 | 23.9% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Sandero
On a 2016 Sandero, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.3% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (5.9% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2016 Dacia Sanderos pass their MOT?
81.2% of the 88,486 2016 Dacia Sandero MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Dacia Sandero?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.3% of tests, followed by suspension (6.3%).
Does the 2016 Sandero get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.0% in the 0-30k band to 29.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 88,486 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.