Dacia Duster review - Reliability and safety
The Duster's lowly safety rating might be a concern for some buyers, although Driver Power customer feedback is improving
With the budget price comes one or two compromises, but safety is something many buyers are understandably unwilling to sacrifice. In an age when many cars receive a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, the second-generation Dacia Duster only managed three stars.
Not only is this the same rating that the first-generation model received in 2011, but in two categories, the latest version scored less than the previous model. Of course, the test has become tougher, but adult and child occupant protection scores of 71 per cent and 66 per cent, respectively, aren’t even close to the class best. Scores of 57 per cent for pedestrian safety and 37 per cent for safety assist technology are nothing to write home about, either.
Safety devices such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane-keeping assist aren’t available, while blind spot monitoring is only offered on the top-spec Journey and Extreme models.
The Mk2 Duster shone in our 2023 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey. It finished fourth on the list of best cars to own – up from its 14th place finish in 2022 – and was named as the best small SUV to own. Based on feedback from owners, the Duster received a 94.15 per cent score for reliability. However, safety features were one of the car’s weakest areas.
Warranty
The Duster’s three-year/60,000-mile warranty is adequate for this sector, especially considering that Hyundai offers a comprehensive five-year warranty, while Kia and MG offer seven years of protection, and Toyota provides up to ten years cover.
Still, at least the Duster is covered by an additional two-year paintwork warranty and six years of anti-corrosion cover. An extended warranty is available for up to six years or 100,000 miles.
Servicing
Dacia recommends getting the Duster serviced yearly or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes sooner. Service Plans range from £14.99 per month for a three-year/30,000-mile deal to £21.99 per month for a four-year/60,000-mile plan. The latter also includes the car’s first MoT test.
