Used car guide · 1985–2026

Fiat Panda common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Fiat Panda, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 263,220 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1985 Fiat Panda

Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Fiat Panda as a whole.

22on the UK register at the end of 2025
ProbablyMOT-exempt (40+ years old), unless substantially changed
Petrolfuel type
What to check on a 1985 car
  • Rust and structure

    Look underneath at the sills, floor, chassis rails and jacking points. Rust in the structure costs far more to fix than paint bubbles.

  • MOT-exempt isn’t roadworthy

    Cars over 40 don’t need an MOT, but they must still be safe. A voluntary MOT or a specialist inspection is worth the money.

  • Paperwork

    Old MOT certificates, bills and restoration photos show how it has been looked after. Check the logbook matches the car’s VIN and engine number.

  • Originality

    Changes from standard affect value and insurance. Ask what has been replaced or modified.

  • Insurance

    Classic insurance is often cheaper but may limit mileage and use. Get a quote before you buy.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200319951994199319921991199019891988198719861985

What usually goes wrong with a Fiat Panda?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Noisy clutch or gearbox

    Cars registered 2012–2024 · Manual gearbox

    Some cars have a loud noise from the clutch or gearbox, put down to a faulty clutch.

    At the viewing: Listen with the clutch up and down at idle, and pulling away.

    Source: Auto Express: used Fiat Panda (Mk3, 2012 on) review

  • High oil use (MultiJet diesel)

    Cars registered 2004–2011 · 1.3 MultiJet diesel

    Some MultiJet diesel owners report very high fuel and oil consumption.

    At the viewing: Check the dipstick and ask how often it needs oil.

    Source: What Car?: used Fiat Panda (2004-2012) reliability

  • Hesitant pulling away (1.2 petrol)

    Cars registered 2012–2024 · 1.2 petrol

    The Euro 6 1.2 petrol can feel short of power pulling away. A software update fixes it.

    At the viewing: Pull away from a standstill a few times.

    Source: Auto Express: used Fiat Panda (Mk3, 2012 on) review

  • Boot lock failing

    Cars registered 2012–2024 · All engines

    The electric boot lock sometimes stops working and has to be replaced.

    At the viewing: Open the boot several times.

    Source: Auto Express: used Fiat Panda (Mk3, 2012 on) review

  • Dashboard rattle

    Cars registered 2012–2024 · All engines

    Loose dashboard brackets rattle, usually on the passenger side.

    At the viewing: Listen on a rough road.

    Source: Auto Express: used Fiat Panda (Mk3, 2012 on) review

  • Clutch judder and jammed tailgate

    Cars registered 2004–2011 · All engines

    A few cars have clutch judder, and some tailgate releases jam.

    At the viewing: Pull away gently and try the tailgate.

    Source: What Car?: used Fiat Panda (2004-2012) reliability

Common Fiat Panda MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Exhaust system

    up to 4.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

  • Coil springs

    up to 4.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2018.

    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.

  • Individual direction indicators

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Handbrake cables

    up to 23× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.

    Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

Diesel

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Coil springs

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2016.

    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.

  • Prop shaft

    up to 41× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 3.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Brake discs

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

Fiat Panda MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2020 Fiat Panda did best (89% passed first time, 2 points above all 2020 cars) and the 2005 did worst (53%, 4 points below all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202290%89% +1550
202187%87% +01,475
202089%87% +24,658
201984%85% -17,586
201881%83% -27,901
201778%80% -210,413
201675%77% -214,349
201572%74% -223,427
201470%70% +023,577
201367%67% +022,219
201266%64% +218,874
201160%62% -215,786
201058%60% -225,882
200958%59% -129,120
200854%57% -314,021
200754%57% -314,873
200653%56% -311,524
200553%57% -48,835
200450%57% -77,429
200352%57% -5215 (small sample)
199354%68% -14126 (small sample)
199258%69% -11146 (small sample)
199159%71% -12112 (small sample)
199058%72% -14122 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Fiat Panda

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

  1. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the Fiat Panda as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 7.4× as often on the Fiat Panda as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the Fiat Panda 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score