Dacia Sandero Common Faults & Problems (UK Buyer's Guide)
2013–2024 · Supermini
This is an independent guide to the Dacia Sandero, written for used car buyers rather than sellers. The faults below come from owner reports, UK garage patterns and MOT history for this generation — not manufacturer marketing, and we take no commission from any dealer. Use it to spot the expensive problems before you hand over money.
Basic but honest — low running costs and simple mechanics mean cheap repairs.
Common Faults
Each fault below is drawn from real owner reports and UK garage patterns for this generation — not generic used-car advice.
0.9 TCe turbo and coil pack issues
moderateThe three-cylinder turbo can suffer coil pack misfires and, on neglected cars, turbo wear.
Check for: Rough idle, flashing engine light on the test drive.
Typical cost: £120 coils, £700+ turbo
Interior trim and electrical switch failures
minorWindow switches, door handles and stalks are the budget parts of a budget car.
Check for: Operate every window, mirror and light.
Typical cost: £40–£150 each
Rear brake seizure
minorRear drums seize on cars used lightly.
Check for: Brake imbalance advisories in MOT history.
Typical cost: £150–£250
What to Check Before Buying
Take this list to the viewing. Every point comes straight from the faults above.
- 0.9 TCe turbo and coil pack issues: Rough idle, flashing engine light on the test drive.
- Interior trim and electrical switch failures: Operate every window, mirror and light.
- Rear brake seizure: Brake imbalance advisories in MOT history.
MOT history red flags
If any of these appear on the last two MOTs, negotiate hard or walk away.
- Brake imbalance recorded more than once
- Suspension arm advisories on higher-mileage cars
Sharp questions to ask the seller
- Is any Dacia warranty left?
- Has the cambelt been done if it is over six years old?
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