2018 Dacia Sandero — MOT failures & pass rate
71,731 MOT tests on the 2018 Dacia Sandero are in this dataset, and 87.4% of them passed. Against superminis of a similar age (11.2% fail rate), the 2018 Sandero comes out 1.4pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.0%) and visibility (7.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 5,503 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.6% in the 0-30k band and 24.6% in the 150k+ band, a 15.9-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 12.5% of the time against 13.5% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 7.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 6,494 |
| 2 | Visibility | 7.1% | 5,126 |
| 3 | Tyres | 3.3% | 2,372 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.8% | 2,034 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.9% | 1,369 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 1,143 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 5,503 |
| 2 | Wipers | 4,081 |
| 3 | Washers | 2,165 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 1,630 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 1,420 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 1,148 |
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 | 25.7% | 18,435 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.7% | 9,078 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.4% | 4,623 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.1% | 2,210 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.2% | 1,585 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 1,111 |
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 | 37,413 | 8.6% |
| 30-60k | 27,771 | 15.8% |
| 60-90k | 5,545 | 20.9% |
| 90-120k | 776 | 24.4% |
| 120-150k | 162 | 25.9% |
| 150k+ | 57 | 24.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 65,203 | 12.5% |
| Diesel | 6,528 | 13.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,983 | 7.9% |
| 2022 | 14,253 | 10.7% |
| 2023 | 14,365 | 12.3% |
| 2024 | 14,279 | 14.6% |
| 2025 | 14,851 | 17.1% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Sandero
On a 2018 Sandero, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (7.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (3.3% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2018 Dacia Sanderos pass their MOT?
87.4% of the 71,731 2018 Dacia Sandero MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Dacia Sandero?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.0% of tests, followed by visibility (7.1%).
Does the 2018 Sandero get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.6% in the 0-30k band to 24.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 71,731 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.