EngineMedium
TCe turbo carbon build-up and coil failures
- Typically appears
- 70,000+ miles
- What to inspect
- Check idle and engine light history
- Typical repair
- Turbocharger replacement · £750–£2,200
Is the 2013–2025 Dacia Sandero reliable?
Scored from 8 documented faults · reviewed by the VehicleFaults Research Team
Quick answer
6.9/ 10
SolidOn our documented-fault scoring the Dacia Sandero rates 6.9 out of 10 · solid. We hold 8 known faults for it and none of them are rated critical, so the risk is mostly wear rather than disaster. The weak points cluster around engine, transmission and electrical. A well-serviced example with evidence for the big-ticket items is usually a safe buy; the score describes the model, not the specific car in front of you.
Verdict · Buy, but check the known weak points
What the score is built from
- Critical
- 0
- High
- 0
- Medium
- 4
- Low
- 4
Weak points cluster around engine, transmission, electrical, bodywork.
Two faults free · full checklist for this exact Dacia Sandero for $9.
Check this carThe faults that decide it
TransmissionMedium
Clutch wear on high-mileage cars
- Typically appears
- 70,000+ miles
- What to inspect
- Check bite point and hill starts
- Typical repair
- Clutch & dual-mass flywheel · £700–£1,600
SuspensionMedium
Knocking noises over uneven surfaces and vague steering feel due to premature wear in the front lower ball joints and track rod ends.
- Typically appears
- 40,000-60,000 miles
- What to inspect
- Push down firmly on the front wings to listen for knocks. With the vehicle stationary, rock the steering wheel side-to-side to feel for excessive free play.
- Typical repair
- Suspension refresh (per axle) · £250–£1,100
BrakesMedium
Spongy brake pedal feel, excessive handbrake travel, and potential MOT failure due to leaking rear drum wheel cylinders.
- Typically appears
- 50,000-70,000 miles
- What to inspect
- Pull the handbrake to check if it holds within 5-7 clicks. Shine a torch onto the lower inner edge of the rear brake backplates to look for damp brake fluid patches.
- Typical repair
- Brakes (discs, pads, caliper) · £200–£800
ElectricalLow
Basic-spec electrical niggles and battery drain
- Typically appears
- Age-related
- What to inspect
- Test locking, lights and screen where fitted
- Typical repair
- Infotainment repair or software fix · £120–£1,200
Costs are indicative UK independent-garage bands for budgeting and negotiation · never a quote.
Inspecting a Dacia Sandero?
See two faults free, then get the full tickable checklist for this exact car · what to look at, what it costs and how serious it is. Full report $9.
Check this exact car