Petrol · 2008–2012
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
All about the Dacia Sandero 1All about the 1.2 8v / 16v (Renault D7F / D4F) engine
The 1.1 8v / 16v (Renault D7F / D4F) engine was fitted to the Dacia Sandero 1 (2008–2012). In the EU that is 23.1 % of all new cars of this generation.
Versions: 1.1, 1.1 75 hp.
The most expensive known risk is ignition coil failure: it usually appears at 60,000–160,000 km and costs €60–300 to fix.
✓ The faults of this engine were checked against sources (10/2026). Each item has at least two independent sources or an official recall or parts-maker technical note.
Signs: Usually no warning; a released valve can drop into the cylinder and destroy the engine
Fix: Have a Renault / Dacia dealer check by VIN and cylinder head number that the free valve cotter replacement was done
Signs: Misfire, jerking under load, flashing engine light, codes P0300-P0304
Fix: Find the cylinder by swapping coils; replace the faulty coil and check the plugs (many workshops replace all coils, as they are the same age)
Signs: Surface rust underneath, brake lines
Fix: Treat underbody; replace pipes
Signs: Knocking
Fix: Replace parts
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
Signs: Rattle at idle, vibration pulling away
Fix: Replace with clutch
Typical routine maintenance cost for 100,000 km: €2,650–5,850. Sum of the services and wear parts in the plan above (about 15,000 km a year, independent workshop), without faults.
Intervals and typical prices for the Dacia Sandero 1 with the 1.1 8v / 16v (Renault D7F / D4F) engine. The app gives the exact plan for your mileage.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 120,000 km or every 60 months | €450–900 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
| Version | Share | Years | CO₂ | Fuel use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 Petrol1,149 cm³ | 12.5 % | 2010–2010 | — | — |
| 1.1 Petrol1,149 cm³ · 55 kW (75 hp) | 10.6 % | 2011–2011 | — | — |
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (1). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
The faults with the highest risk: ignition coil failure (60,000–160,000 km, €60–300).
Belt · 120,000 km / every 60 mo.
5W-40 / 10W-40 · Renault RN0700 · ~4.0 L · every 15,000 km.
1.5 dCi (K9K)1.4 / 1.6 8v MPI (Renault K7J / K7M)1.4 / 1.6 16v (Renault K4J / K4M)
Renault Clio IV 2012–2019Dacia Sandero II 2012–2020Dacia Logan II 2012–2020Renault Twingo II 2007–2014Renault Modus 2004–2012
Main sources for the faults of this engine:
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles. How we check the data →
Updated 29/10/2026