Dacia Sandero (2013 - 2021) 0.9 TCe Laureate 5d (2013/13) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Sensible and frugal. In a recession, I was able to buy a brand new car, giving me years of cheap but reliable transport. I have bought a car which many people might scoff at because it is an unknown import. I didn't see a single other one in the first year. It's such a rare car in the UK and yet I am confident I have backed a winner. It's nice to drive in something that is different and to know that it was a sensible choice that others are only now starting to trust.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

It's OK. Nobody has said anything bad about it and all who have travelled in it have liked it. It's good value for money, surprisingly complete and .

Would you buy this car again and why?

Yes. It's still the best buy in the UK for a new car. It has everything I want from a car and I have been very pleased.

What are you likely to buy next?

I would like to try a diesel version to improve economy even more. Otherwise I am on the lookout for a hybrid or electrical powered car for even more economical motoring.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

Yes

What price did you pay?

£9,095

When did you buy the car?

April 2013

Did you get a good deal and why?

The deal was good on paper. It was a straightforward price menu without distractions. It would have been nice to try the £5,995 Access, but there were none available to test drive in the whole of the UK, despite being advertised widely, including a TV campaign. That's right, the car you can buy for £5,995 but you can't actually test drive it. You have to buy it blind, so to speak. Instead I was happy with the TCe90 Laureate and the fact that one was available as a cancelled order, I jumped at that chance rather than wait months for delivery.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

The most affordable brand new car available in the UK. Economical, good performance and all the essential features that I wanted were included.

What was the dealer like?

Poor. The car was fine but the dealer was frustrating. Poor communication. Failing to answer questions. I felt I had to work far too hard at this. I paid for and was promised factory fitted parking sensors but instead a local engineer fitted a generic system, without the on/off switch and without coordinating the colour.

What's it like to drive?

It's very nice to drive in most circumstances. It only feels low-powered when trying to accelerate in the outside lane on the motorway but once up to speed it can keep up with the fastest. There is a slight hiccup when the engine is warming up and it can feel momentarily unresponsive. The cruise control is very easy to set and adjust and can make driving relaxing and less tiring on longer journeys. Driving at night is fine as the headlights light up the road ahead perfectly well. The rear view mirror has multiple shaded settings for reducing glare from blinding tailgaters.

What's it like to park?

For me the rear parking sensors are essential because otherwise it is too hard to judge. The front is also hard to judge due to the long curve of the bonnet. However, when you get used to it, parking is safe and easy. The parking spaces always look smaller and tighter from the driving seat than they do when you have got out. Visibility all round is very good but the car's shape makes it hard to judge distances for parking.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Driver's side rear mudguard worn. Dacia don't supply replacements as such. You have to buy the material and cut your own. One time only, the engine management lights came on. The manual said it meant that I should take the car immediately to an authorised dealer. However, I read other people's experiences with older Dacia's in Europe and it seems it is a fairly common fault, a false positive, which can be ignored and it might go away. In my case it didn't show again, just for that one moment. The car has done 14,000 miles and everything seems fine overall. There is a slight knocking when moving slowly which I suspect is caused by something like the brake pads sticking.

What's most practical about your car?

The car does 400 to 500 miles on one tank of fuel so I don't need to fill-up too often. Every journey is a pleasure and seems effortless. The cruise control really helps me relax and the speed limiter is great when I'm feeling paranoid about speed cameras. The air conditioning is useful all year round, demisting in the winter and cooling in the summer. The radio can connect to my smartphone via bluetooth and play instructions from my navigation application. I can answer my phone calls easily without taking my hands from the wheel or eyes from the road. There is seating for four adults in comfort or fold-down the rear seats and I can transport all I need to.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The trip computer is the most useful gadget as it keeps you well informed in real time about your fuel usage. It is also useful in winter to know the ambient temperature so you know mile by mile when to expect ice. The servicing mileage countdown helps you to schedule your service optimally.