Dacia Sandero MOT Pass Rates and Running Costs by Year
Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 9 model years from 163,256 MOT tests in 2024.
Avg Pass Rate
82%
Total Tests
163,256
Highest Pass Rate
2021 (91%)
Years Covered
9
About the Dacia Sandero
The Dacia Sandero was MOT tested 163,256 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 9 model years (2013 to 2021), with an average pass rate of 82%. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol versions.
Best and Worst Years
Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 91% from 1,255 tests. The 2014 model has the lowest at 73%. With a 18 point gap, the year you choose makes a real difference. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.
Reliability Trend
Newer Dacia Sanderos pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 12 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.
Mileage Across Years
The oldest model in our data (2013) averages 74,847 miles, while the newest (2021) averages 21,958 miles.
Compared to the Dacia brand average of 89%, the Sandero is 7 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Dacia models.
What the Dacia Sandero fails its MOT on most
Of 33,660 MOT tests on the Dacia Sandero that failed at the first attempt in 2025 (DVSA data), the share that failed on each area:
40%
Lights and electrics
Same age: 31%
33%
Suspension
Same age: 27%
22%
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors
Same age: 15%
Estimated Running Costs
Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.
Full 2021 detailsHow reliable is the Dacia Sandero?
Dacia Sandero by Year
Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.
Questions about the Dacia Sandero
Is the Dacia Sandero reliable?
Across its 9 model years in our data (2013 to 2021), the Dacia Sandero averages an 82% MOT pass rate, from 163,256 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's level with the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2021 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 91%.
Which year Dacia Sandero has the best MOT pass rate?
Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Dacia Sandero has the highest MOT pass rate at 91%, while the 2014 model has the lowest at 73%, a 18 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.
Are newer Dacia Sanderos more reliable?
Newer Dacia Sanderos pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 12 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.
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