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Which used Dacia Sandero should you buy?

The Dacia Sandero is a small car that’s noteworthy for having a very low asking price. Back when the value-oriented model first went on sale in 2013, it was the UK’s most affordable new car, with prices starting from just £5,995.

Of course, those basic Dacia Sanderos didn’t come with many luxuries – in that cheap-as-chips entry-level form, the car went without central locking, air-conditioning and a radio. Even body-coloured bumpers were missing from the spec sheet to keep costs down.

But that suits some buyers just fine. Not everyone wants or needs the latest tech, particularly if it adds thousands to the price. Carry on reading for a rundown on what comes with each trim level, to help you decide which version is right for you.

Read our full Dacia Sandero review

 

What used Dacia Sandero levels are available?

Not every Dacia Sandero is as barren as the entry-level Access. Climb further up the range, and creature comforts such as air-conditioning, a touchscreen media system, electric windows, parking sensors and cruise control are added to the specification sheet.

Higher-spec extras like leather-trimmed seats also help to make the cabin feel a bit plusher, but only go so far in offsetting the hard and scratchy plastics that make up most of the interior trim. This is a sensible, value-oriented machine rather than an upmarket one.

We’ll guide you through Access, Ambiance, Essential, Laureate and Comfort to let you decide which suits you best.

Dacia Sandero Access

The Dacia Sandero Access is the most basic version of the car you can get. It’s only available with one engine – a 76PS 1.2-litre petrol with a five-speed manual gearbox – and has very few features at all. It wasn’t even equipped with a radio, although it was at least pre-wired to fit an aftermarket unit, so many used models will include one. Standard equipment includes: 

  • Traction control
  • Front and side airbags
  • Isofix points on the outer rear seats 
  • Manual window controls
  • 15-inch wheels
  • Manually adjustable wing mirrors
  • 60/40 split-folding rear seat back

Dacia Sandero Ambiance

The mid-range trim Dacia Sandero Ambiance adds a few more creature comforts. Plus, in addition to the 1.2-litre petrol, Ambiance models were also available with 91PS 0.9-litre petrol and 96PS 1.5-litre diesel engine options. Kit upgrades over the Access comprised:

  • Electric front windows
  • Bluetooth
  • Wheel covers
  • Radio
  • Central locking
  • Body-coloured bumpers
  • Air-conditioning (from 2016 on)
  • Height-adjustable driver’s seat (from 2016 on)

Dacia Sandero Essentical

In 2019, the Ambiance trim was renamed as the Dacia Sandero Essential spec. As a result, the tech list is pretty similar across the board, although Essential models did come out of the box with air-conditioning.

  • Remote central locking
  • Electric front windows
  • Air-conditioning
  • Height-adjustable driver’s seat
  • Digital radio
  • 60/40 split-folding rear seat back

Dacia Sandero Laureate

Laureate is the top-of-the-range trim on the Dacia Sandero, and comes with the most amount of equipment as standard. While no Dacia Sandero is luxurious, you do get plenty for your money with Laureate – and newer Comfort – versions. The spec list includes:

  • 15-inch alloy wheels
  • Cruise control
  • Heated and power-adjustable wing mirrors
  • Air-conditioning
  • Front foglights
  • Seven-inch touchscreen media system with built-in sat-nav (from 2017)
  • Rear parking sensors (from 2017 on)

Dacia Sandero Comfort

The Comfort trim is to Laureate what the Essential spec is to Ambiance: essentially, it’s a rename of the range-topping Dacia Sandero model. This means Comfort models come with the exact same kit you’ll get on Laureate versions (see above).

Is a used Dacia Sandero a good buy?

If you’re in the market for a Dacia Sandero, you’re likely to be focused on affordability, so thin spec lists will not be a concern.

Irrespective of the trim level, the Dacia Sandero offers a pretty decent amount of cabin space for the money. Thanks to the car’s boxy shape, there’s sufficient space for tall passengers in the rear, and with a claimed capacity of 320 litres, it has a larger boot than even the Ford Fiesta (292 litres) and Vauxhall Corsa (309 litres).

Comfort levels aren’t bad, either, thanks to the soft suspension set-up that helps iron out the worst lumps and bumps in the road. Of course, the trade-off for this is a lot of body lean when you go around corners, but it’s unlikely sporty handling will be a priority for Dacia Sandero buyers.