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Fiat Panda reliability by build year

Coverage 2004-present2 named generationscity carHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Fiat Panda built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Fiat Pandas built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Fiat Panda by number plate

Key figure

19% of MOT tests on Fiat Pandas built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 18% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Fiat Pandas built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Fiat Panda's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Panda's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Panda Mk3 (319)

Mk3 (319) (2012-present)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

18.5% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 3,577 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Panda Mk2 (169)

Mk2 (169) (2004-2011)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

30.6% fail rate, built around 2011 (14 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 29%)

From 8,290 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Fiat Panda.

See every build year for the Fiat Panda

Side-by-side

Fiat Panda generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk3 (319) (2012-present)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings18.5%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 3,577 MOT tests at this age
Mk2 (169) (2004-2011)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings30.6%built around 2011 (14 years old)from 8,290 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Panda, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Fiat Panda fail rate by age

This chart combines every Fiat Panda ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
9779.9%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
1,64714.7%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
2,26914.4%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
3,13716.5%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
3,57718.5%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
4,88719.7%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
7,79422.3%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
10,60124.0%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
9,91025.1%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
9,36326.2%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
7,55128.2%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
8,29030.6%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
13,59831.2%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
8,81531.6%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
5,85533.6%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
5,29633.1%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
4,05233.3%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
3,16134.7%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,54534.4%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
42232.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 20 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Fiat Panda stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Fiat models

2nd of 8

2nd lowest fail rate of 8 Fiat models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

58th of 84

58th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

18.5%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Fiat Pandas

These issues come from 7-year-old Fiat Pandas, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    18.0%
    Advisory: 895Fail: 67 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    11.8%
    Advisory: 638Fail: 54 (8% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    10.6%
    Advisory: 518Fail: 10 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Shock absorber bush slightly worn

    5.0%
    Advisory: 213Fail: 60 (22% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    5.0%
    Advisory: 188Fail: 46 (20% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,577 MOT tests on 7-year-old Fiat Pandas, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Fiat Pandas notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Tyres31%
  2. Suspension + Tyres20%
  3. Brakes + Suspension19%
  4. Other + Tyres14%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 994 MOT tests on Fiat Panda cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

95%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

17 recalls in all

13 of the 17 Fiat Panda recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 Critical
  • 10 more

Top concerns

  • Side airbag/head airbag crash sensor not correctly connected
  • Possibility of fire
  • Fuel may leak

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    Lower fail rate: 14.2%, against 18.5% for the Fiat Panda, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    15,657 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Suzuki Celerio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.5%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.5%

    Lower fail rate: 13.9%, against 18.5% for the Fiat Panda, both built around 2018.

    5,662 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Toyota Aygo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.2%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Lower fail rate: 13.0%, against 18.5% for the Fiat Panda, both built around 2018.

    25,028 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    DS 3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.9%

    No clear edge over the Fiat Panda on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    6,861 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Fiat Panda across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 2nd lowest fail rate of 8 Fiat models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 3,577 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Fiat Panda ever sold: 112,747 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 3,577 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.