Used car guide

2012 Fiat Panda diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Fiat Panda first registered in 2012 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 374 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 374 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

374MOTs of 2012 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
59%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%)
6,400typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for coil springs

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Fiat Panda diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Fiat Panda diesel than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Coil springs2.1× usual
    Fiat Panda
    17.6% All 2012 cars
    8.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 3.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Shock absorbers2.3× usual
    Fiat Panda
    13.4% All 2012 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 1.6% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Engine oil leaks2.2× usual
    Fiat Panda
    13.1% All 2012 cars
    6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Common 2012 Fiat Panda diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Fiat Panda diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    46% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    34% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    30% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    24% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    15% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2012 Fiat Panda diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Fiat Panda diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2012 Fiat Panda diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2012 Fiat Panda diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2012 Fiat Panda diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Fiat Panda?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Fiat Panda compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
2022550Tyres 15%
20211,475Tyres 18%
20204,658Tyres 18%
20197,586Tyres 21%
20187,901Tyres 24%
201710,413Tyres 26%
201614,349Tyres 27%
201523,427Suspension 31%
201423,577Suspension 34%
201322,219Suspension 38%
201115,786Suspension 57%
201025,882Suspension 58%
200929,120Suspension 57%
200814,021Suspension 57%
200714,873Suspension 57%
200611,524Suspension 57%
20058,835Suspension 58%
20047,429Suspension 57%
2003215Suspension 58%
1995–Too few tests
1994–Too few tests
1993126Suspension 48%
1992146Lights and electrics 36%
1991112Suspension 34%
1990122Lights and electrics 33%
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Fiat Panda cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score