Comparison · small SUVs

Dacia Duster vs SEAT Arona: which is more reliable?

The SEAT Arona does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 90 for the Dacia Duster, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 116,480 real MOT tests in 2024.

Dacia Duster

90Well below average
MOT tests70,038

SEAT Arona

100About average
MOT tests46,442

By age

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

Age at testDacia DusterSEAT Arona
3–5 years
92Well below average
101About average
6–9 years
89Well below average
94Below average
10–14 years
86Well below average
–
15+ years––

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearDacia DusterSEAT Arona
202183.9%87.5%
202080.2%88.7%
201975.3%86.4%
201873.9%78.0%
201772.9%71.6%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaDacia DusterSEAT Arona
Lights & electrics18.82.4
Brakes7.95.9
Tyres5.55.2
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.41.9
Suspension4.90.7
Steering2.32.7
Body & chassis3.10.2
Emissions & leaks1.90.7

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%

SEAT Arona: top failures

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.4%
  2. Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.1%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.2%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively fluctuating0.9%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.9%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Dacia Duster or the SEAT Arona?

The SEAT Arona does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 90 for the Dacia Duster, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Dacia Duster and SEAT Arona can be compared?

Both were tested for 5 registration years (2017–2021). The Dacia Duster had the higher pass rate in 1 of them and the SEAT Arona in 4.

What fails most on each?

Dacia Duster: headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. SEAT Arona: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.