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Dacia Sandero Stepway Mk1 (2013-2020) reliability

At a glance

Dacia Sandero Stepway Mk1 built around 2020: about average at the MOT

Dacia Sandero Stepway Mk1 models built around 2020 fail their MOT a little more often than similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Dacia Sandero Stepway Mk1?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

19% of MOT tests on Dacia Sandero Stepway Mk1 models built around 2020 ended in a fail (retests included), against 14% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Dacia Sandero Stepway Mk1 models built around 2020 involves the tyres.

Dacia Sandero Stepway Mk1
poor reliability2013-2020HatchbackPETROL

Based on 1,235 tests of Sandero Stepway models registered 2013-2020.

About 1 in 100 Sandero Stepway Mk1 MOTs (1%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2020 (5 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 734 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 0.5% and 2.0%. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 Sandero Stepway Mk1 MOTs (5%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2020 (5 years old).

Based on 734 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 3.7% and 6.9%. Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
50114.2%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
73418.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 5 years old.

How the Sandero Stepway Mk1 compares

At each age below, see how the Sandero Stepway Mk1 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 26,599 tests across 4 Dacia models, built around 2020 (5 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateDacia average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
50114.2%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
73418.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Sandero Stepway Mk1.

  1. 1

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    Lower fail rate: 9.3%, against 18.7% for the Dacia Sandero Stepway Mk1, both built around 2020.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    4,392 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  2. 2

    Suzuki Ignis

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.8%
    Dangerous
    1.7%

    Lower fail rate: 8.5%, against 18.7% for the Dacia Sandero Stepway Mk1, both built around 2020.

    3,723 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  3. 3

    Suzuki Swift

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    2.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95%

    Lower fail rate: 10.9%, against 18.7% for the Dacia Sandero Stepway Mk1, both built around 2020.

    9,956 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  4. 4

    Hyundai i20

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.1%
    Dangerous
    3.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.1%

    Lower fail rate: 11.1%, against 18.7% for the Dacia Sandero Stepway Mk1, both built around 2020.

    5,846 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

7 recalls in all

Includes recalls GOV.UK files under the Dacia Sandero, the model this one is based on.

5 of the 7 Sandero Stepway Mk1 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 3 more

Top concerns

  • Driver's airbag may not deploy correctly during an impact
  • Drivers airbag may not deploy
  • The contact between the positive battery terminal and the alternator could cause an electrical short circuit

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common issues on Dacia Sandero Stepways of this age

This list covers every Dacia Sandero Stepway built around 2020, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    15.9%
    Advisory: 165Fail: 12 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.0%
    Advisory: 155Fail: 6 (4% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    9.3%
    Advisory: 91Fail: 3 (3% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    6.4%
    Advisory: 40Fail: 17 (30% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, but not excessively

    5.6%
    Advisory: 39Fail: 15 (28% of the times it was found)

Based on 734 tests

Looking at a Dacia Sandero Stepway Mk1?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2020 (5 years old), the Dacia Sandero Stepway Mk1 (2013-2020) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 734 5-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 1,235 MOT tests on Dacia Sandero Stepways first registered between 2013-2020. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.