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City car · 1997–2021 cars

Fiat Panda reliability

The Fiat Panda fails 35.2% of first MOT tests, 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 302,003 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Below averageReliability score 30/100#29 of 43 city cars

Checking a Fiat Panda before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
35.2%
first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
22% more
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
302,003
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings
5,300
typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Fiat Panda has a first-time MOT fail rate of 35.2%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 22% more MOT fails. Results vary by year. 2020 was the best, with 10% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. 2016 was the weakest, with 41% more. Suspension is the weakest area, with 74% more fails than cars of the same age and mileage.

A Panda can still be a good buy if you choose carefully. If you can, start with 2020 cars. Then check these four common failures before you pay: tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.69% of tests), worn suspension arm pins or bushes (3.52%), wiper blades that don't clear the windscreen (3.23%), and shock absorbers with a serious fluid leak (2.83%). Get the car lifted to check the suspension and shocks.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Fiat Panda ages

Each point is the share of Fiat Pandas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

0%20%40%60%80%35791113151719Age at MOT (years)
Fiat PandaAll cars
Fiat Panda first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)Fiat PandaAll cars
310%12.3%
415.8%14.1%
519.5%16.4%
622.2%19.1%
724.5%22.1%
827.1%25.5%
929.3%28.8%
1032.6%31.8%
1135.9%34.6%
1239.8%37.3%
1341.8%39.5%
1443.6%41.1%
1545.1%42.3%
1646.6%42.9%
1747.6%43.4%
1847.7%43.5%
1948.9%43.4%
2055.6%42.8%

By year

The best and worst Fiat Panda years

2020 cars come out best and 2016 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Fiat Panda MOT results by year of first registration
First registeredTestsFail rateAgainst same-age carsTypical mileage
202128113.9%43% more fails17,416
2020 Panda2,6829%10% fewer fails17,193
2019 Panda6,59113.9%26% more fails19,091
2018 Panda8,89716%31% more fails21,969
2017 Panda11,76520%39% more fails27,424
2016 Panda16,10123.7%41% more fails32,745
2015 Panda26,22426%30% more fails40,650
2014 Panda26,47328.1%21% more fails47,838
2013 Panda25,21930.8%17% more fails53,182
2012 Panda21,39932.6%15% more fails54,835
2011 Panda18,22939.3%27% more fails59,273
2010 Panda30,38941.7%24% more fails63,930
2009 Panda34,65441.8%20% more fails65,580
2008 Panda17,51645%19% more fails72,653
2007 Panda18,81346.6%19% more fails75,203
2006 Panda14,86547.3%19% more fails77,335
2005 Panda11,55946.6%16% more fails77,612
2004 Panda10,01749.8%24% more fails77,089
200328445.4%12% more fails79,209

Common problems

What fails most on a Fiat Panda

Its weak spot is suspension: 74% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

  • Suspension16.4%74% above avg
  • Lights and electrics11.6%1% above avg
  • Brakes8.2%25% above avg
  • Tyres7.2%28% above avg
  • Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.4%32% above avg
  • Body, chassis and structure4.8%36% above avg
  • Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.2%39% above avg
  • Steering1.8%3% above avg
  • Seat belts and airbags0.8%13% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

  1. 1

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.69% of tests

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  2. 2

    Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.52% of tests

    Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.

  3. 3

    Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.23% of tests

    Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.

  4. 4

    Shock absorber serious fluid leak 2.83% of tests

    A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.

  5. 5

    Shock absorber bush excessively worn 2.73% of tests

    Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.

  6. 6

    Position lamp not working 2.61% of tests

    A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.

  7. 7

    Parking brake efficiency below minimum 2.11% of tests

    The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.

  8. 8

    Stop lamp not working 2.06% of tests

    A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Fiat Panda's MOT certificate most often.

  • Tyre worn close to legal limit17.26%
  • Coil spring showing some corrosion12.02%
  • Brake disc pitted or scored7.89%
  • Tyre slightly damaged or cracking7.47%
  • Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear6.94%
  • Engine oil leak, not excessive5.36%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Fiat Panda

  1. 1

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  2. 2

    Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn

    Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.

  3. 3

    Wiper blade not clearing windscreen

    Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.

  4. 4

    Shock absorber serious fluid leak

    A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.

  5. 5

    Every MOT since new

    Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.

  6. 6

    The mileage record

    A typical Fiat Panda covers about 5,300 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.

  7. 7

    Finance, stolen and write-off

    The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

  • Petrol93.2%
  • Diesel6.8%
  • LPG0%
  • Hybrid0%
  • Electric0%

Most common colours

White, Blue, Red, Black, Yellow

Average engine size: 1.2 litres.

Compare

How the Fiat Panda compares with its rivals

Fiat Panda against similar models
ModelFail rateAgainst same-age cars
Volkswagen up!18.8%7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot 10817.3%3% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot 10735.9%8% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Citroën C129.7%9% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Fiat Panda35.2%22% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Kia Picanto29.3%27% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Adam27.2%32% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Fiat models.

Questions

Fiat Panda questions, answered

Is the Fiat Panda reliable?

On MOT results, the Fiat Panda is below average: it fails 35.2% of first MOT tests, 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 29 of 43 city car models in our index.

What fails most on a Fiat Panda MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Fiat Panda are tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.69% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.52% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.23% of tests). By area, suspension fails 16.4% of its tests.

Which Fiat Panda year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2016 cars do worst (41% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Fiat Panda do a year?

A typical Fiat Panda covers about 5,300 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Fiat Panda before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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