Comparison · small SUVs

Dacia Duster vs Hyundai Kona: which is more reliable?

The Hyundai Kona does better at the MOT, with a score of 101 against 90 for the Dacia Duster, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 114,052 real MOT tests in 2024.

Dacia Duster

90Well below average
MOT tests70,038

Hyundai Kona

101About average
MOT tests44,014

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testDacia DusterHyundai Kona
3–5 years
92Well below average
100About average
6–9 years
89Well below average
106Above average
10–14 years
86Well below average
–
15+ years––

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearDacia DusterHyundai Kona
202183.9%87.1%
202080.2%87.0%
201975.3%86.7%
201873.9%87.0%
201772.9%88.0%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaDacia DusterHyundai Kona
Lights & electrics18.83.2
Tyres5.55.8
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.43.9
Brakes7.92.4
Suspension4.90.6
Body & chassis3.10.2
Steering2.30.1
Emissions & leaks1.90.4

Dacia Duster: top failures

  1. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.5%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.7%
  3. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.5%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
  5. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.7%
  6. Headlamp aim: too low1.3%

Hyundai Kona: top failures

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.1%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.9%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
  4. Headlamp aim: too high1.3%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.0%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.8%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Dacia Duster or the Hyundai Kona?

The Hyundai Kona does better at the MOT, with a score of 101 against 90 for the Dacia Duster, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Dacia Duster and Hyundai Kona can be compared?

Both were tested for 5 registration years (2017–2021). The Dacia Duster had the higher pass rate in 0 of them and the Hyundai Kona in 5.

What fails most on each?

Dacia Duster: headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. Hyundai Kona: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords.