Faults:

Small paint defect on the bumper the dealer repaired.

Auto start stop engine off system failed twice. The car still drove OK. Dealer reset it on the first occasion. 2nd occasion it fixed itself after 100km.

Bonnet had little vertical movement; been adjusted but still has very small vertical play.

General Comments:

Auto start stop system is hit and miss.

Electric window buttons are on the central console rather than the doors.

No release button on boot lid; only a key or lever which is inside the car. It is possible to lock the keys in the boot. Also when closing the boot one handed, be careful as the catch is sharp.

No electric door mirrors, and worse is no blind spot assistance.

Biggest annoyance is washer system; if traveling below 90 km per hr, use the windscreen washer and the side window gets covered in streams of water. This impairs greatly the vision of the driver's wing mirror.

Can't switch off the day light headlight system. Other drivers think I'm a rental car and jump out in front of me, and they look surprised when I'm not so slow.

Good full economy, 58 to 60 miles per gallon. No chance of the manufacturer's suggested 75. I've even tried 60 miles per hour for 200 mile trip on deserted motorway here with no stops, and I only managed 62 MPG with economy mode on. I've done 15000 km in 9 months.

Live with the compromises and you'll find this car great value for money.

If Dacia improve some of the small issues, this car would be fantastic.

Very good space inside; bigger than my old Clio.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Wow, what a great little car. I bought the Stepway Laureate version of the Sandero to replace my 10 year old MG. I am so pleased I went for this as it's a great little drive with excellent fuel economy; I'm looking at about 650 miles to a tank, and that's with me doing a steady 75mph down the motorway.

The build quality is fine; it's never going to please the 50k Merc or BMW drivers, but it was value for money and economy I was looking for, and not prestige. At 60+ MPG and £20 a year road tax, I think even they will appreciate its financial appeal.

The drive is precise, it's like point and go; the clean gear changes and grunty little 1.5L diesel engine make for an easy drive. I was concerned that the road noise might be a little high, but it's no louder in the cabin than my MG ZT-T.

The Stepway Laureate comes with a Bluetooth sat nav system, which works well; it's very much on the lines of a Renault, but with a slightly slimmer price.

So far I'm well pleased.

Faults:

Nothing as yet.

General Comments:

This is the first and probably only brand new car we will ever buy. Attracted initially by the low price, we found the Sandero to be a very good car. Easy to drive, neutral handling, comfortable and remarkably spacious.

The much vaunted 5995 price tag is for the austere base model. Once you start adding extra kit, the price goes up quite a bit - but still undercuts the competition. It's the cheapest brand new diesel you can buy bar none.

The 1.5 dCi is quicker on acceleration than our old Peugeot 306 DT, which itself was no slouch. MPG is nowhere near the claimed 74, but at 65 not too far off the mark.

I really could not fault this car. Some reviews have made out that the seats are unsupportive, it has excessive body roll and an awkward gear change, but in reality the car is hard to fault and none of these have been a concern. It's not like the '80s when the cheap option was a Lada, which was cheap because it was cack. The Sandero is a proper car that does everything you want it to.

For comparison purposes, a Fiesta or Corsa in the same spec was 4 grand dearer. The Sandero does not have any kind of prestige attached to the badge, so if that bothers you look elsewhere. If you care more about practicalities, it's a good buy.