Dacia Logan
Compact 1.2-litre 16V naturally aspirated engine with straightforward engineering and documented mileages up to 300,000 km with good maintenance. Timing belt must be replaced every 120,000 km — if it snaps, severe engine damage results. Ignition coil and lead assembly is a known weak point; have valve clearance checked every 80,000 km.
City-sized engine
75 hp from 1.2 litres — the little Logan is well suited for city use. On the motorway it gets loud and strained.
Engine Weaknesses 3
Recall for vehicles produced September–November 2010: faulty valve cotters may come loose and cause engine damage.
Symptoms: Recall for vehicles produced September–November 2010: faulty valve cotters may come loose and cause engine damage
Timing belt must be replaced every 90,000 km or 5 years. The small engine is not interference-free.
Symptoms: Timing belt must be replaced every 90,000 km
Valve cover gasket leaks in the spark plug tube area. Oil collects around the spark plugs and can cause misfires.
Symptoms: Valve cover gasket leaks in the spark plug tube area
Vehicle Weaknesses 8
Due to poor paint quality and inadequate corrosion protection, rust forms early on sills, wheel arches, and underbody. Vehicles in salt regions are particularly badly affected.
Recall for affected models due to rust on the rear shock absorber mounts. Structural weakening can compromise driving safety.
Steering and steering joints are among the most frequent MOT complaints. The defect rate is well above average for comparable vehicles.
Brake discs and pads wear faster than average on the Logan I. Regular MOT complaints, braking performance frequently insufficient.
The Logan I's exhaust system is known for early corrosion. A full replacement can be needed after just a few years and regularly causes MOT failures.
The Logan I's low beam shows far above average defect rates at MOT. According to inspection reports, front lighting is up to three times worse than average.
Recall for unreliable ABS warning light failures. The warning light malfunction can delay detection of ABS defects.
The Logan I's interior suffered from cheap plastics and poor panel gaps from the start. Over time, pronounced rattling develops from the dashboard and door panels.
