Considering a Used Dacia Sandero? Share Your Reviews & Problems DACIA Sandero II (10.2012 - ...)

The 2017 Dacia Sandero offers good value but does have some common issues to be aware of before purchasing.

Reliability

The Dacia Sandero has shown mixed reliability results. In the What Car? Reliability Survey, the Sandero actually finished top of the small and value car class with a perfect score of 100%, and Dacia as a brand finished second place out of 30 car manufacturers. However, this excellent performance came after "a few years of slightly dodgy results".

Owner experiences vary. One owner of a 2011 Sandero Stepway described it as "very good and reliable," though they did replace the timing belt and water pump as a precautionary measure when purchasing it second-hand. Across 28 owner reviews, the Sandero received an average rating of 4.1 out of 5, suggesting generally positive ownership experiences.

Common Issues

Several recurring problems have been reported by Sandero owners:

Electrical Issues:
- Remote door lock problems have been reported as "a big pain" by at least one owner
- Engine management system faults
- Catalytic converter light failures, preceded by warning lights on the dash

Mechanical Problems:
- Some owners report frequent brake pad and disc replacements
- Engine issues including rough idling, regular stalling, and in one case, complete loss of power when accelerating
- Cases of engines revving by themselves (a problem known as "hunting")
- For diesel models with particulate filters (DPF), clogging can occur if the car hasn't been taken on regular motorway journeys

Other Concerns:
- Various rattles from components like seat belt holders and steering wheels
- Poor quality wiper blades (though Dacia reportedly will replace these if owners complain)
- Occasional issues with rust
- Boot lock problems (rotating but not unlocking)
- Handbrake warning light flashing on and off when applied
- Excessive play in suspension struts

Value Proposition

Despite these issues, many owners appreciate the Sandero's value proposition. It's described as "incredibly good value, with low running costs and great practicality". However, potential buyers should note that the Sandero uses "lots of existing bits and pieces that had been used on older Renault models" and some owners characterize it as having "used an old design and very cheap parts".

Base "Access" models didn't originally come with any audio system, though most previous owners would likely have installed one. The physical door locks have been described as feeling "very cheap and flimsy".

Overall, the Sandero appears to offer basic, affordable transportation with reasonable reliability, though prospective buyers should carefully inspect any used model and be prepared for some quality compromises given its budget-friendly nature.