Skip to main content
Check

Dacia Sandero Mk2 (2021-present) reliability

At a glance

Dacia Sandero Mk2 built around 2021: about average at the MOT

Dacia Sandero Mk2 models built around 2021 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Dacia Sandero Mk2?

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

Key figure

13% of MOT tests on Dacia Sandero Mk2 models built around 2021 ended in a fail (retests included), against 12% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Dacia Sandero Mk2 models built around 2021 involves the tyres.

Dacia Sandero Mk2
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2021-presentHatchbackPETROL / UNKNOWN

Based on 12,503 tests of Sandero models registered 2021+.

About 1 in 9 petrol Sandero cars registered in 2022 (11.7%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 5,337 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 100 Sandero Mk2 MOTs (1.1%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2021 (4 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 3,726 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). 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 30 Sandero Mk2 MOTs (3.1%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2021 (4 years old).

Based on 3,726 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk2 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
8,77711.4%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
3,72613.5%

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 4 years old.

How the Sandero Mk2 compares

At each age below, see how the Sandero Mk2 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 20,412 tests across 4 Dacia models, built around 2021 (4 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateDacia average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
8,77711.4%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
3,72613.5%

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 pads

High priority

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

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.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Visibility

Worth checking

Inspect the visibility carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

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 Mk2.

  1. 1

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    Lower fail rate: 7.3%, against 13.5% for the Dacia Sandero Mk2, both built around 2021.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,156 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  2. 2

    Suzuki Ignis

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.5%
    Dangerous
    1.2%

    Lower fail rate: 7.9%, against 13.5% for the Dacia Sandero Mk2, both built around 2021.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,405 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  3. 3

    Citroen C4 Cactus

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.8%

    No clear edge over the Dacia Sandero Mk2 on these figures.

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

    1,178 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  4. 4

    Suzuki Swift

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.7%
    Dangerous
    2.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95%

    Lower fail rate: 10.1%, against 13.5% for the Dacia Sandero Mk2, both built around 2021.

    8,591 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

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

10 recalls in all

1 of the 10 Sandero Mk2 recalls covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 recall

Top concerns

  • Poorly fitted fuel supply hose leading to a potential leak in the engine compartment

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

What has gone wrong on Sandero Mk2 cars built around 2021

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 56 cars.

Wear items

Lighting
11%
Brakes
4%
Tyres
2%
Mk2 variants compared

Sandero Mk2 variants built around 2021

The fail rate for each Sandero Mk2 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • SANDERO COMFORT TCE10.7%765 tests
  • SANDERO16.7%676 tests
  • SANDERO ESSENTIAL SCE14.2%585 tests
  • SANDERO STEPWAY COMFORT TCE12.3%577 tests
  • SANDERO STEPWAY PRESTIGE TCE11.4%537 tests
  • SANDERO ESSENTIAL TCE13.2%410 tests
  • SANDERO STEPWAY ESSENTIAL TCE14.0%307 tests
  • SANDERO SWAY PRESTIGE TCE CVT9.2%293 tests

Unknown fuel

  • SANDERO COMFORT LPG TCE16.9%249 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Dacia Sanderos of this age

This list covers every Dacia Sandero built around 2021, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk2 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

    15.3%
    Advisory: 1,605Fail: 107 (6% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    9.9%
    Advisory: 1,168Fail: 46 (4% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    7.5%
    Advisory: 509Fail: 118 (19% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    5.5%
    Advisory: 502Fail: 8 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Major

    Wiper does not clear the windscreen properly

    5.1%
    Advisory: 147Fail: 336 (70% of the times it was found)

Based on 7,285 tests

Looking at a Dacia Sandero Mk2?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2021 (4 years old), the Dacia Sandero Mk2 (2021-present) fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 3,726 4-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 12,503 MOT tests on Dacia Sanderos first registered from 2021. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.