Fiat Panda: what fails at MOT
119,000 MOT tests on the Fiat Panda in 2024, counted. 35.5% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
35.5% of Fiat Panda tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 32.1%, so the Panda does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (12.3% of tests), lights and electrics (8.8% of tests) and brakes (6.1% of tests). It fails on suspension and wipers, washers and windscreen more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,423 | 9.6% | 10.9% | 14,500 9,600 to 22,000 |
| 2020 | 2,404 | 8.9% | 11.5% | 17,600 10,900 to 26,100 |
| 2019 | 3,433 | 16.6% | 13.4% | 21,800 13,900 to 32,000 |
| 2018 | 3,544 | 18.0% | 15.6% | 26,600 17,000 to 38,500 |
| 2017 | 4,669 | 21.4% | 18.2% | 32,200 20,200 to 46,700 |
| 2016 | 6,326 | 25.3% | 21.3% | 36,700 24,700 to 52,600 |
| 2015 | 10,281 | 28.0% | 24.4% | 44,700 31,300 to 61,800 |
| 2014 | 10,389 | 29.3% | 27.7% | 52,600 36,900 to 70,800 |
| 2013 | 9,976 | 32.2% | 30.6% | 57,700 41,100 to 78,500 |
| 2012 | 8,352 | 34.0% | 33.4% | 58,600 41,600 to 78,800 |
| 2011 | 7,042 | 40.6% | 36.1% | 62,900 43,600 to 84,400 |
| 2010 | 11,700 | 42.7% | 38.6% | 67,300 48,100 to 88,600 |
| 2009 | 13,231 | 42.7% | 39.8% | 69,300 48,300 to 91,200 |
| 2008 | 6,526 | 45.9% | 41.5% | 75,600 55,100 to 97,600 |
| 2007 | 6,860 | 47.8% | 41.5% | 77,500 56,900 to 100,300 |
| 2006 | 5,356 | 48.5% | 42.4% | 79,000 58,100 to 103,300 |
| 2005 | 4,121 | 47.3% | 42.2% | 80,000 59,400 to 103,900 |
| 2004 | 3,578 | 51.7% | 42.3% | 78,900 58,200 to 100,300 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Fiat Panda tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Panda | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension More than most | 12.3% | 7.9% |
| Lights and electrics | 8.8% | 9.5% |
| Brakes | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| Tyres | 5.2% | 4.6% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen More than most | 4.6% | 3.5% |
| Body and structure | 3.8% | 3.1% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 3.4% | 2.7% |
| Steering | 1.4% | 1.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Shock absorbers4.5%
- Suspension pins and bushes3.1%
- Side light3.0%
- Tyre tread3.0%
- Tyre2.6%
- Wipers2.5%
- Brake light2.4%
- Brake test2.3%
- Exhaust system2.2%
- Headlamp aim2.1%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.0%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%
- Side light: not working2.3%
- Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush2.3%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.2%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.9%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.8%
- Brake light: not working1.8%
- Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases1.8%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge15.8%
- Coil spring: corroded10.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement7.1%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened6.8%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing6.5%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases4.9%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive4.8%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil4.0%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Fiat Panda's own MOT record
Looking at a Panda? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.