Dacia Duster - Used Dacia Duster – why so many nearly new?

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Mon 24 Jun 2024 17:31
Dacia Duster - Used Dacia Duster – why so many nearly new? - driven to distraction

I have a beloved and very ancient VW Touran that's at the end of the road.

I don't have a Touran budget to spend, so I'm now looking at a used Dacia Duster, 1.3-tce petrol engine because I don't drive the miles for diesel. From my experience with the Touran, I'm keen to avoid some of the electronic bells and whistles that go with modern cars, and reports are that the second gen 2018+ Dusters are fairly reliable.

However, I'm surprised by how many cars registered less than a year or two back are advertised at dealers nearby. Is there something I'm missing – and if so, what should I look for? I'm keen on a 2020 model that has proper handbrake and no hill assist (I manage hill starts just fine...) but my other half likes the look of a 2022 model, saying the newer/less mileage the better. I'm suspicious that someone is just selling on a problem, whereas with 2020 I can see they'll have gone pass the 3-year warranty.

Any thoughts? Anything I should watch out for? Would the 2022 car be worth a look? I'd really value any pointers as we've not bought a car since 2012!

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Mon 24 Jun 2024 18:35
Dacia Duster - Used Dacia Duster – why so many nearly new? - Adampr

I can't say I've noticed a huge amount of nearly new Dusters. However they're a very popular car so I suppose there will be quite a few around.

I suppose it's possible that, as budget cars, they tend to be bought by people on PCP with no hope or intention of ever paying the balloon payment, so they tend to get 'recycled' fairly quickly. Or perhaps people talk themselves into buying them because they're cheap, then come to hate them because they're a bit basic.

In any case they're not particularly renowned for being hugely problematic.

I would tend to agree with your partner that newer and lower mileage would be preferable, but presumably you'd be paying more money. If risk is your number one concern, you'd be better of looking at an older Toyota or Kia which, under certain circumstances, will still be under warranty for a few years.

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Mon 24 Jun 2024 18:49
Dacia Duster - Used Dacia Duster – why so many nearly new? - driven to distraction

Thanks so much for your reply!

We're looking at the Duster because we tend to use the car as a workhorse for all things family – kids, DIY, camping holidays. So whatever we get, a large boot is key. Skoda Octavia estate was another on our list but they're like hen's teeth round here, particularly the petrol ones...

Glad to hear the Duster isn't hugely problematic and early trade-in more likely to be frustration with the car performance or PCP issues. The nearly new 2022 is a prestige model with under 10,000 miles on the clock, which is why I was worried – top model, lower mileage, why trade in? Anyway, perhaps we'll check it out...

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Mon 24 Jun 2024 20:03
Dacia Duster - Used Dacia Duster – why so many nearly new? - badbusdriver

Not sure why you are referring to a car that is potentially two years old as being "nearly new"?. But given personal lease contracts can run from 12 months to 4+ years, I'm also not sure what you think the problem is?. I'm also confused as to why, if you fear there may be a problem, you are more keen on going for a car outwith its warranty than one which still has a years warranty left?

I'd be interested to learn if the Dacia extended warranty (up to 7 years and/or 100k miles) could be applied to the 2022 car (if this is possible, it would presumably only be for cars with full dealer history). If so, that is what I'd do. If not, I'd be going for the youngest car budget allows.

One last thing, as boot space seems to be a priority, surely a Jogger should be on the cards?. With third row seats removed, the boot is much bigger than the Duster's.

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Mon 24 Jun 2024 20:50
Dacia Duster - Used Dacia Duster – why so many nearly new? - Terry W

Possibly Dacia are bought on the basis of low price but fail to live up to expectations.

I looked at one (thinking of changing car) a couple of weeks ago. No issue with the mechanical aspects or size but I found the interior very utilitarian compared to even mid market competitors - eg: Peugeot, Renault, Skoda etc.

This is no criticism of the vehicle - more a reflection that you get what you pay for. For me, every time I drove it I think I would regret not buying something a little nicer and a year older!

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Tue 25 Jun 2024 12:39
Dacia Duster - Used Dacia Duster – why so many nearly new? - driven to distraction

For me, 2022 IS nearly new! Current car is a 2006 Touran... and as I've never had a PCP contract I wasn't aware they could be as little as 12 months in length. So that gives me some reassurance as to why someone might offload a recently registered car.

We've been looking at the Jogger too – used are very rare, so for that we'd have to step up to buy a new one. I'm wary about the electronic handbrake, as it sounds to have been an issue for some owners and I like having a manual handbrake. I'm also aware that the PCP would cost us a lot more overall, whereas we can afford to cash buy an older model. Is there a good place where I could find out more info on PCP as a potential newby?

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Tue 25 Jun 2024 16:23
Dacia Duster - Used Dacia Duster – why so many nearly new? - Adampr

For me, 2022 IS nearly new! Current car is a 2006 Touran... and as I've never had a PCP contract I wasn't aware they could be as little as 12 months in length. So that gives me some reassurance as to why someone might offload a recently registered car.

We've been looking at the Jogger too – used are very rare, so for that we'd have to step up to buy a new one. I'm wary about the electronic handbrake, as it sounds to have been an issue for some owners and I like having a manual handbrake. I'm also aware that the PCP would cost us a lot more overall, whereas we can afford to cash buy an older model. Is there a good place where I could find out more info on PCP as a potential newby?

Don't buy anything on PCP if you have cash available for something reliable but cheaper. You will grow to resent it, especially when you add up all the payments then have to hand it back.

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Mon 24 Jun 2024 22:19
Dacia Duster - Used Dacia Duster – why so many nearly new? - alan1302

Thanks so much for your reply!

We're looking at the Duster because we tend to use the car as a workhorse for all things family – kids, DIY, camping holidays. So whatever we get, a large boot is key. Skoda Octavia estate was another on our list but they're like hen's teeth round here, particularly the petrol ones...

Glad to hear the Duster isn't hugely problematic and early trade-in more likely to be frustration with the car performance or PCP issues. The nearly new 2022 is a prestige model with under 10,000 miles on the clock, which is why I was worried – top model, lower mileage, why trade in? Anyway, perhaps we'll check it out...

The Jogger maybe worth a look - they are a 7 seater and they will have a larger boot with the 2 rear seats removed.

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Tue 25 Jun 2024 14:57
Dacia Duster - Used Dacia Duster – why so many nearly new? - Andrew-T

We're looking at the Duster because we tend to use the car as a workhorse for all things family – kids, DIY, camping holidays. So whatever we get, a large boot is key...

Don't imagine that because the Duster looks 'big' that all that space is available in the boot. I have a 2008 Pug 207SW whose luggage area is sevaral inches wider than a Duster's. I only know this because we use both cars to shift the same metre-square slabs of plywood, which the Pug can take flat.

Of course if you plan to carry stuff like beanbags (for example) that may be unimportant.

Don't know whether Dusters are used much as rental or hire cars, but those are typically recycled after 12K miles or so ?

Edited by Andrew-T on 25/06/2024 at 14:58

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Tue 25 Jun 2024 17:55
Dacia Duster - Used Dacia Duster – why so many nearly new? - focussed

It's probably buyer's remorse now that their neighbours don't talk to them because they bought a Dacia.

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