Used Dacia Logan MCV 2013-2020 review review

Big space doesn't always have to mean big price, and the Dacia Logan MCV is a perfect example of that. This estate car is extremely practical yet a complete and utter bargain, especially when used. It's cut-price roots don't fly under the radar, however.

Initially, one diesel engine and two petrol engines were offered. The diesel, a 88bhp 1.5-litre unit, is aimed at those who do plenty of motorway miles, while the two petrols are better all-rounders – there's a 73bhp 1.2-litre and a 89bhp turbocharged 0.9-litre. The 1.2-litre was replaced with a 73bhp 1.0-litre in 2017.

The trim levels that are the most commonly encountered include Ambiance and Laureate. The former gets remote central locking, powered front windows, Bluetooth and a CD/tuner, while the latter adds alloy wheels, a trip computer, cruise control, heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors, air-con and powered rear windows.

Other trims levels, such as the sparsely equipped Access and top-of-the-range Laureate Prime, exist. That being said, they are extremely uncommon on the used market.

Those who fancy a bit of SUV-inspired style might be tempted by the Stepway version. With a loftier ride height and lots of black plastic cladding, it adds a slightly tougher edge to the Logan MCV’s looks, and a bit more resistance to damage from errant trolleys in supermarket car parks.

The only gearbox is a rather notchy five-speed manual, with a clunky, long throw; there's no automatic gearbox option.

The Logan MCV’s suspension is focused more on comfort than cornering ability but rarely provides much of either. The ride is too easily unsettled at low speeds and over larger bumps and body control isn’t a strong point; the floppy suspension allows the Logan to pitch and heave over bumps. This is particularly noticeable in Stepway models, which sit higher off the ground. No Logan MCV ever feels unstable, but there’s a lot of body lean and grip runs out earlier than it does in many rivals.

The steering is inconsistently weighted and rather vague. Combine this with the car’s tendency to be blown around by crosswinds, and you’ll find you need to make a fair few corrections to keep it in a straight line at motorway speeds.

Inside, the driver’s seat itself isn’t particularly supportive; it feels quite flat at the base and lets you roll around too much in tight bends. The pedals line up with the seat nicely, though, and the climate controls are simple to reach and operate, if not particularly substantial in feel. The plastic components used on the Logan’s dash are structurally sturdy but, as they already looked low-rent on the old-generation Clio that they’re borrowed from, they appear decidedly cheap these days. You won’t find any soft-touch surfaces.

Passenger and boot space are the Logan’s strongest suits. Despite being essentially an elongated version of Dacia’s Sandero small car, the Logan MCV’s front seats offer tall adults plenty of head and leg room.

Similarly, the rear seats have more than enough space for two adults, although taller passengers might find their knees resting against the front seatbacks if those in the front are particularly long-legged. Three adults across the rear bench is a squeeze but three smaller children should be comfortable on a long journey.

The Logan MCV beats all its rivals for boot capacity; in fact, its boot is as big as those of several cars from the class above. The boot floor isn’t quite flat when the rear seats are folded down, but the low boot opening makes loading easy. It’s just a pity that the only ways to open the tailgate are by twisting the key in the lock or operating a lever inside by the driver’s seat – not very convenient when you’re standing outside in the rain with armfuls of shopping.

If you're interested in finding a used Logan MCV, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

For around £4000, you can buy yourself a 2013, 2014, 2015 or 2016 Dacia Logan, though one with upwards of 50,000 miles on the clock. You'll need a budget of around £6000 to secure an example with a mileage below 50,000, or around £7000 for a 2017 model. If you'd prefer a 2018 or 2019 car, expect to spend around £9000. Newer Logans than that are extremely thin on the ground.

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MPG

The 1.5-litre diesel, with its official average fuel consumption of 60.1mpg, is the most frugal engine in the range. The 0.9-litre petrol isn't much less economical, with an official figure of 56.5mpg. The 1.2-litre comes in at 48.7mpg, while the 1.0-litre averages 49.5mpg.

Road tax

Logans registered before April 2017 will have their road tax determined by CO2 output, while cars registered after that (whether petrol or diesel) will be charged the current flat rate fee of £155 per year. Find out more about current road tax costs here.

Insurance and servicing

Insurance groups tend to remain in single digit numbers throughout the Logan range, meaning insurance costs should be cheap, and so should service costs.

We recommend the 0.9-litre petrol. It adds some much needed turbocharged punch over the 1.2-litre and 1.0-litre, yet is impressively economical. If you plan on doing a lot of motorway miles, the 1.5-litre is a good option, but if not there's little reason to go for it.

Laureate is our trim of choice. It's relatively well equipped and prices are reasonable.

Our favourite Dacia Logan MCV: 0.9 TCe Laureate

There are a few alternatives to a used Logan that you might be interested in, including the Skoda Octavia. For around £10,000, you could get a 2016 example with around 50,000 miles on the clock. Its interior quality is much better than that of the Logan, and it has a bigger boot.

The Ford Focus Estate offers a great driving experience and there are plenty of used examples, featuring a wide variety of good trims and refined engines, to choose from.

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If you're interested in finding a used Logan MCV, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.