DACIA SANDERO (2021)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,255 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,405
£117/month
MOT Pass Rate
91%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 1-8
998cc Petrol
Great Choice
91% pass rate, £1405/year to run. 9 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
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Reliability Verdict
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%.
At 5 years old, 91% of DACIA SANDEROs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,255 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 21,958 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
21,958
Average miles
37,000
Expected for age
The average 2021 DACIA SANDERO has 21,958 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
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DACIA SANDERO by Year
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About the 2021 DACIA SANDERO
The 2021 DACIA SANDERO is a city car with a 998cc petrol engine. 1,255 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.
With an average of 21,958 miles at 5 years old, DACIA SANDERO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2021 DACIA SANDERO Fuel Costs
The modest 998cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2021 DACIA SANDERO?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,405 (£117/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
DACIA SANDERO Reliability Trend
Newer DACIA SANDEROs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 12 percentage points.
Buying a Used 2021 DACIA SANDERO
At 5 years old, the DACIA SANDERO offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2021 DACIA SANDERO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Coil Pack Failure
Medium riskSmaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.
Service History
Low riskAlways request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.
Running Costs Compared
How the 2021 DACIA SANDERO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DACIA SANDERO(2021) | 91% | £955 | £195 | Grp 1-8 | £1405 |
| FORD FIESTA(2019) | 91% | £955 | £190 | Grp 1-8 | £1400-£5 |
| VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582+£177 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2019) | 88% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 8-20 | £1732+£327 |
| AUDI A3(2019) | 92% | £955 | £190 | Grp 1-8 | £1400-£5 |
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.
Related Dacia Models
Explore other Dacia cars or similar models in the same category.
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DACIA SANDERO COMFORT TCE
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FORD FIESTA
2019 · 998cc Petrol
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
2019 · 1498cc Petrol
VAUXHALL CORSA
2019 · 1398cc Petrol
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