Fiat Panda MOT pass rate and common problems
69.6% of 119,261 Fiat Panda MOT tests pass.
At 69.6%, the Panda passes slightly less often than the average across all Fiat models (74.3%).
The Fiat Panda passes 69.6% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Fiat Panda?
This is the average across every Fiat Panda in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Fiat’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Fiat Panda tested at 0–3 years pass 94.9% of the time, compared with just 58.8% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 94.9% | 351 | 16,027 miles |
| 3–6 years | 88.4% | 7,992 | 24,788 miles |
| 6–10 years | 79.2% | 28,358 | 45,018 miles |
| 10–15 years | 68.1% | 50,048 | 65,177 miles |
| 15+ years | 58.8% | 32,512 | 79,766 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Fiat Panda
The most common reason the Fiat Panda fails its MOT is suspension — present in 63.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Pin or bush excessively worn".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 63.4% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 43.6% | Not working |
| Brakes | 33.1% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Tyres | 22.4% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 17.6% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Body, chassis, structure | 14.7% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 13.6% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Steering | 5.1% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.2% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.6% | Inscription illegible |
Buying a used Fiat Panda: what to check
These checks follow the Fiat Panda’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Fiat Panda comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 79.2% to 68.1%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 86.8% down to 73.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 63.4% of failed Fiat Panda MOTs. 34.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 3.7% at 0–3 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 43.6% of failed Fiat Panda MOTs. 24.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.0% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 33.1% of failed Fiat Panda MOTs. 21.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 0.9% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 22.4% of failed Fiat Panda MOTs. 10.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on tyres, against 3.7% at 0–3 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 17.6% of failed Fiat Panda MOTs. 9.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.1% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Fiat service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Fiat models
- Fiat 500 — 74.8% pass rate
- Fiat Ducato — 78.1% pass rate
- Fiat Punto — 63.8% pass rate
- Fiat Doblo — 69.9% pass rate
- Fiat 500x — 81.3% pass rate
- Fiat 500c — 74.2% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Fiat Panda?
- 69.6% of Fiat Panda MOT tests pass, based on 119,261 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Fiat Panda?
- The most common reason the Fiat Panda fails its MOT is suspension — present in 63.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Pin or bush excessively worn".
- What are the common problems with the Fiat Panda?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Fiat Panda are suspension; lights and electrics; brakes. 34.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 3.7% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Fiat Panda?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; lights and electrics; brakes; tyres; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Fiat Panda's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Fiat service history guide for how to check and keep one.