Dacia Sandero - Reliability and safety
Dacia’s mixed performance in the most recent Driver Power survey and a two-star Euro NCAP rating for the Sandero can’t be overlooked
Customer feedback from our Driver Power owner satisfaction survey has often resulted in Dacia being at the bottom of the manufacturer rankings and sadly it was the same story with the 2022 edition. It saw the Romanian brand finish in 27th place (out of 29) on our list of the best car manufacturers, ahead of only MG and Fiat. That said, while Sandero didn’t make it onto the list of best cars to own based on our 2023 Driver Power survey data, the Mk2 Dacia Duster managed to finish a very impressive 4th out of 75.
The Sandero sits on a version of Renault’s latest CMF platform which underpins the impressive fifth-generation Clio and is powered by engines from its French parent company, so it should also bode well for reliability.
With a stronger chassis and improved safety kit, it might be a surprise that the latest Sandero only scored two stars (out of five) when tested by industry experts Euro NCAP. The crash test body awarded decent marks for both adult and child occupant safety, with 70 and 72 per cent respectively, which would have led to a four-star overall rating. However, the organisation criticised the Sandero’s auto emergency braking system which isn’t able to detect cyclists and pedestrians to help avoid a potential collision, while a lack of a Lane Assist function and Active Bonnet technology also counted against it.
All Sanderos come with six airbags, an autonomous emergency braking system, Hill Start Assist, ABS and ESP stability control and a tyre pressure monitor. Moving up to Expression trim adds front fog lights, parking sensors and a reversing camera.
Warranty
Every Dacia is covered by a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, with roadside assistance also included through this period. There is the option to extend cover for up to seven years at extra cost.
Servicing
The manufacturer recommends annual service intervals or every 18,000 miles – whichever comes first. You can purchase a three-year/30,000-mile service plan for a fixed price of £599 or via monthly payments.
