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Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons

Used Dacia Duster I: the buying guide

SUV · 2010–2017 · Petrol, Diesel

✓ 45 sources cited · updated on 13 October 2026

Extra caution
Reliability
2.0/5
Estimated monthly cost
€379/month
Indicative prices
€5,990 – €10,720

8 known faults

Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo 1 of 5

Dacia Duster I, front three-quarter view

Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons

Verdict

Extra caution

Simple, practical SUV (475 L boot in two-wheel drive), offered in 4x2 and 4x4. Its safety is weak: only 3 stars at Euro NCAP in 2011, with ESP not fitted as standard. Sources report faulty injectors on the first 1.5 dCi, early clutch wear on diesels, light anti-corrosion protection, and excessive oil consumption on the 1.2 TCe 125, which should be avoided.

Reliability
2.0/5
Indicative prices
€5,990 – €10,720
Monthly cost
€379
Euro NCAP
3/5

Which version to choose

Versions to favour: 1.6 16V 105, 1.5 dCi 110.

  • 1.6 16V 105

    ✓ Recommended

    Petrol · Manual · 105 hp · 7.5 L/100 km · 177 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 2

    Naturally aspirated 1.6-litre four-cylinder, in two- or four-wheel drive; Breakerlink rates the 1.6 petrol and the 1.5 dCi as the most reliable if regularly maintained. Replaced by the 1.6 SCe 115 for the 2016 model year.

  • 1.6 16V 105 GPL

    Petrol · Manual · 105 hp · Crit'Air 2

    1.6 16V petrol and LPG bi-fuel version, in two-wheel drive with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

  • 1.6 SCe 115

    Petrol · Manual · 115 hp · Crit'Air 2

    New 1.6 petrol introduced with the 2016 model year: 10 hp and 8 Nm more than the 1.6 16V 105 it replaces.

  • 1.2 TCe 125

    Petrol · Manual · 125 hp · Crit'Air 2

    1.2 turbo petrol: affected by the oil consumption reported by L'argus and Fiches-auto; to be avoided according to Mister Auto.

    Engine: Renault-Nissan 1.2 TCe / DIG-T (H5Ft, HRA2DDT)

    Verdict on this engine: Buy with care

  • 1.5 dCi 85

    Diesel · Manual · 85 hp · Crit'Air 3

    Early diesel with 200 Nm, judged too modest for the vehicle's weight by Fiches-auto.

    Engine: Renault 1.5 dCi / Blue dCi (K9K)

    Verdict on this engine: Buy with care

  • 1.5 dCi 90

    Diesel · Manual · 90 hp · Crit'Air 3

    Entry-level diesel that succeeded the dCi 85.

    Engine: Renault 1.5 dCi / Blue dCi (K9K)

    Verdict on this engine: Buy with care

  • 1.5 dCi 110

    ✓ Recommended

    Diesel · Manual · 110 hp · Crit'Air 3

    Diesel with 250 Nm and a 6-speed gearbox, in two- or four-wheel drive: the version most recommended by Fiches-auto testers.

    Engine: Renault 1.5 dCi / Blue dCi (K9K)

    Verdict on this engine: Buy with care

  • 1.5 dCi 110 EDC

    Diesel · Automatic · 110 hp · Crit'Air 3

    EDC dual-clutch 6-speed gearbox, introduced in 2017 at the end of the production run and reserved for the dCi 110 and upper trims.

    Engine: Renault 1.5 dCi / Blue dCi (K9K)

    Verdict on this engine: Buy with care

Market prices

€5,990 – €10,720

Indicative range: 2010 to 2017, yearly medians of 44 online listings collected by AutoUncle (years with at least 3 listings).

Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.

Known faults

Excessive oil consumption that can lead to engine failure (1.2 TCe)

Severity 3/3 · Serious

L'argus lists the 1.2 TCe's excessive oil consumption among the Duster's weak points. Fiches-auto recalls that the consumer association UFC-Que Choisir has formally notified Renault, Nissan and Dacia, which use this engine. One owner of a 2016 Duster 1.2 TCe 125 reports an engine failure; Mister Auto advises avoiding this engine, especially beyond 100,000 km.

Versions
1.2 TCe 125
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Faulty injectors on the early 1.5 dCi

Severity 2/3 · Costly

L'argus reports hard starting caused by the injectors on the 1.5 dCi of vehicles produced until June 2011. Caradisiac notes jolts on the dCi 110, which reprogramming the injection or replacing the injectors normally resolves, though some owners have no solution. One owner of a 2011 dCi 110 4x4 reports five injectors replaced within 50,000 km; Mister Auto also cites injector fragility.

Versions
1.5 dCi 85, 1.5 dCi 90, 1.5 dCi 110, 1.5 dCi 110 EDC
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Early clutch wear on diesels

Severity 2/3 · Costly

Caradisiac reports premature clutch wear on diesels, sometimes as early as 15,000 km, with a clutch that slips when cold or judders. Breakerlink lists clutch wear among common faults, along with difficult gear changes, especially on the early diesels.

Versions
1.5 dCi 85, 1.5 dCi 90, 1.5 dCi 110, 1.5 dCi 110 EDC
Onset
from 15,000 km
Repair
not documented

Particulate filter clogging in urban use

Severity 2/3 · Costly

Parkers and What Car? explain that many diesel Dusters have mostly been driven in town, which clogs the particulate filter; its regeneration only triggers at high speed, and a clogged filter is expensive to replace. What Car? adds that an interrupted regeneration can dilute fuel into the oil, whose level then gradually rises.

Versions
1.5 dCi 85, 1.5 dCi 90, 1.5 dCi 110, 1.5 dCi 110 EDC
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Body and underbody corrosion

Severity 1/3 · Annoying

Parkers considers the Duster's anti-corrosion protection light: the tailgate, wiper bracket and doors rust, mostly cosmetically, but more serious corrosion affects the underbody. According to CarGurus, these problems mainly concerned the first examples and were reportedly resolved with the factory change in mid-2014. Breakerlink also reports more rust on early models.

Versions
1.6 16V 105, 1.6 16V 105 GPL, 1.6 SCe 115, 1.2 TCe 125, 1.5 dCi 85, 1.5 dCi 90, 1.5 dCi 110, 1.5 dCi 110 EDC
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Horn and indicators failing (wiring harness)

Severity 1/3 · Annoying

According to Parkers, the wiring harness is a cost-cutting item: wires can corrode and break, and the most common failures are the horn and the indicators. Who Can Fix My Car reports that loose connections at the fuse box can cause electrical arcing and cut the horn.

Versions
1.6 16V 105, 1.6 16V 105 GPL, 1.6 SCe 115, 1.2 TCe 125, 1.5 dCi 85, 1.5 dCi 90, 1.5 dCi 110, 1.5 dCi 110 EDC
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Horn that can interfere with the driver's airbag (2017 recall)

Manufacturer recall

In October 2017, Dacia recalled Dusters produced until 25 May 2017: the horn was not suited to the electrical circuit, with a risk of horn failure and a malfunction of the driver's airbag. The repair consists of checking the contacts and adding a relay.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
1.6 16V 105, 1.6 16V 105 GPL, 1.6 SCe 115, 1.2 TCe 125, 1.5 dCi 85, 1.5 dCi 90, 1.5 dCi 110, 1.5 dCi 110 EDC
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Rear suspension spring that can dislodge (2016 recall)

Manufacturer recall

Dacia recalled Dusters whose rear suspension spring can slip off its seats and dislodge during strong suspension rebound, for example when crossing an obstacle. L'argus cites 5,864 Duster 4x2 vehicles produced from 13 March to 2 June 2014 in Pitesti; the repair replaces the rear springs and their lower seats.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
1.6 16V 105, 1.6 16V 105 GPL, 1.2 TCe 125, 1.5 dCi 90, 1.5 dCi 110
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

All faults by version and mileage →

Manufacturer recalls

See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Dacia Duster”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.

Real monthly cost

Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated

Monthly cost by item
Fuel or electricity€185
Insurance€73
Maintenance€34
Depreciation€87
Total per month€379

⚠ Estimates to treat with caution

  • NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
  • Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
  • Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
Fuel (petrol)€185

1.6 16V 105 version: combined consumption of 7.5 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.

7.5 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €185

Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.

Insurance€73

Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.

Maintenance€34

Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.

Depreciation€87

Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.

Inspection checklist

Things to check

  • 1.5 dCi: start with a cold engine and look for jolts around 1,800-2,000 rpm during the test drive; ask for the injector invoices.
  • Try the clutch when cold: slipping, juddering, difficult gear changes.
  • Inspect the underbody, tailgate, doors and wiper bracket for rust.
  • Test the horn and the indicators.
  • 1.2 TCe: check the oil level and ask for the history of top-ups; better to avoid it.
  • Have a Dacia dealership check, using the serial number, which recalls (horn, rear springs) are still outstanding.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Have the injectors or the clutch already been replaced, and at what mileage?
  • Has the car been driven mostly in town or on the road?
  • Have the manufacturer's recalls been carried out?

Test-drive tip: read the fault codes

A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.

See OBD2 scanners on Amazon → (new tab)Partner link

Electric or hybrid equivalent

No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost

Alternatives

Photo: (G)jabz, CC BY 4.0

Dacia Duster

II · 2018–2024

Buy with care
Price
€11,700 – €20,500
Reliability
not rated
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Renault Captur

I · 2013–2019

Good choice, check first
Price
€7,000 – €12,000
Reliability
4/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Nissan Qashqai

II · 2014–2021

Buy with care
Price
€9,000 – €18,490
Reliability
3/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: VauxhallMania1999, CC BY-SA 4.0

Peugeot 2008

I · 2013–2019

Extra caution
Price
€5,450 – €9,490
Reliability
2.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Before you buy: check and equip

Check the history

Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.

Read fault codes

An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.

Parts and maintenance

Compare prices of parts for the Dacia Duster I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.

Insure the car

Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Dacia Duster 1 safe?

It received 3 stars out of 5 at Euro NCAP in 2011. According to L'argus, the rating is penalised by the lack of standard ESP and a very low pedestrian protection score; occupant protection is better.

Which engine should I choose for a Duster 1?

Fiches-auto recommends the 1.5 dCi 110 and considers the dCi 85 too modest. Mister Auto advises avoiding the 1.2 TCe 125 because of the risk of engine failure.

What is the boot capacity of the Duster 1?

475 litres in two-wheel drive and 1,636 litres with the rear seat folded; it drops to 408 litres in 4x4, according to Caroom and Carwow.

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