2012 Fiat Panda · 21,399 MOT tests
2012 Fiat Panda reliability
2012 Fiat Pandas fail 32.6% of first MOT tests, 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 17 Panda years (21,399 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Fiat Pandas: 35.2%)
- 32.6%
- first-time fail rate (all Fiat Pandas: 35.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 15% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 54,835
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 21,399
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does better)
- 2013 cars: 17% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does better)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 4.1% of tests fail here (75% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 21% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 Fiat Panda
Fail rate by area
- Suspension15.5%
- Lights and electrics10.4%
- Tyres6.4%
- Brakes5.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.9%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.1%
- Body, chassis and structure3.8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Shock absorber bush excessively worn 4.1%
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.16%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.04%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.86%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.23%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Position lamp not working 2.03%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.51%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (11.5%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.17%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.15%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (7.07%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (5.49%)
Other years
Every Fiat Panda year
The full picture: Fiat Panda reliability. Before you pay for any Fiat Panda, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2012 Fiat Panda reliable?
2012 Fiat Pandas fail 32.6% of first MOT tests, 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 17 Panda years (21,399 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Fiat Panda MOT?
Most often shock absorber bush excessively worn (4.1% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (3.16% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.04% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Fiat Panda have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Fiat Panda shows 54,835 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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