Comparison · small SUVs

Ford Ecosport vs Dacia Duster: which is more reliable?

The Ford Ecosport does better at the MOT, with a score of 96 against 90 for the Dacia Duster, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 172,276 real MOT tests in 2024.

Ford Ecosport

96Below average
MOT tests102,238

Dacia Duster

90Well below average
MOT tests70,038

By age

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

Age at testFord EcosportDacia Duster
3–5 years
99About average
92Well below average
6–9 years
94Below average
89Well below average
10–14 years
94Below average
86Well below average
15+ years––

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearFord EcosportDacia Duster
202184.3%83.9%
202086.1%80.2%
201984.1%75.3%
201882.0%73.9%
201772.9%72.9%
201670.4%67.9%
201566.7%64.5%
201465.4%60.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaFord EcosportDacia Duster
Lights & electrics12.818.8
Brakes6.57.9
Tyres5.75.5
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.46.4
Suspension1.54.9
Body & chassis1.73.1
Emissions & leaks2.61.9
Steering1.12.3

Ford Ecosport: top failures

  1. Stop lamp: not working5.0%
  2. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.9%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.6%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.9%
  6. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases0.9%

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%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Ford Ecosport or the Dacia Duster?

The Ford Ecosport does better at the MOT, with a score of 96 against 90 for the Dacia Duster, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Ford Ecosport and Dacia Duster can be compared?

Both were tested for 8 registration years (2014–2021). The Ford Ecosport had the higher pass rate in 8 of them and the Dacia Duster in 0.

What fails most on each?

Ford Ecosport: stop lamp: not working; headlamp: not working on dipped beam. Dacia Duster: headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively.