Fiat Panda Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Fiat Panda car check
Is the Fiat Panda reliable? We analysed 1,821,354 real MOT tests across 128,867 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Fiat Panda? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Fiat Panda is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively and shock absorber has an excessively worn bush. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Fiat Panda.
Fiat Panda Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Fiat Panda. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Fiat Panda MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Fiat Panda to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Fiat Panda Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Fiat Panda fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Fiat Panda Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Fiat Panda models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Fiat Panda Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Fiat Panda owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Fiat Panda MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Fiat Panda year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 226 | 82.7% | 14,424 | 24,200 | 32,760 |
| 2020 | 5,291 | 89.1% | 11,130 | 18,313 | 27,920 |
| 2019 | 12,532 | 87.2% | 11,922 | 20,038 | 31,452 |
| 2018 | 16,438 | 86.1% | 13,301 | 22,016 | 34,640 |
| 2017 | 27,214 | 84.5% | 15,388 | 25,788 | 40,067 |
| 2016 | 43,176 | 82.4% | 17,817 | 28,781 | 44,128 |
| 2015 | 80,688 | 81.7% | 21,458 | 34,122 | 50,960 |
| 2014 | 92,534 | 80.8% | 24,410 | 38,276 | 56,924 |
| 2013 | 98,879 | 79.8% | 26,015 | 41,416 | 61,732 |
| 2012 | 95,408 | 78.4% | 25,661 | 41,177 | 61,667 |
| 2011 | 93,989 | 75.3% | 26,488 | 43,409 | 65,018 |
| 2010 | 176,679 | 73.7% | 27,416 | 45,770 | 68,593 |
| 2009 | 225,247 | 73.6% | 27,057 | 45,849 | 69,565 |
| 2008 | 137,583 | 72.8% | 30,699 | 50,567 | 75,154 |
| 2007 | 174,054 | 72.3% | 31,215 | 51,518 | 76,387 |
| 2006 | 165,407 | 72.3% | 32,267 | 52,993 | 77,809 |
| 2005 | 158,983 | 71.7% | 32,165 | 53,192 | 78,532 |
| 2004 | 169,915 | 71.5% | 31,478 | 51,788 | 76,160 |
| 2003 | 5,217 | 71.3% | 31,862 | 52,102 | 76,615 |
| 2002 | 74 | 64.9% | 40,540 | 65,710 | 91,260 |
How Long Does a Fiat Panda Last?
Based on 128,867 Fiat Panda vehicles on UK roads.
Fiat Panda Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Fiat Panda MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Fiat Panda
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.1% MOT pass rate from 5,291 tests
62.6% MOT pass rate from 7,146 tests
The best year to buy a used Fiat Panda is 2020, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.1% across 5,291 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Fiat Panda Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat Panda THIS CAR | 74.8% | 1,821,354 | 45,513 mi | 22 yrs |
| Fiat Punto | 68.7% | 6,712,102 | 61,468 mi | 32 yrs |
| Fiat 500 | 76.9% | 3,854,072 | 42,469 mi | 18 yrs |
| Fiat Ducato | 75% | 1,962,737 | 48,690 mi | 38 yrs |
| Hyundai Tucson | 82.7% | 1,015,319 | 46,583 mi | 22 yrs |
Compared to the Fiat Punto (68.7% pass rate) and the Fiat 500 (76.9% pass rate), the Fiat Panda sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Fiat Panda you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Fiat PandaShould you buy a used Fiat Panda?
The Fiat Panda has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.8% across 1,821,354 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Fiat Panda are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (66,636 recorded failures), windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (21,798), and shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (19,354). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Fiat Panda with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Fiat Panda owner drives around 4,123 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Fiat Panda models stay on UK roads for around 22 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.