Used car guide

2004 Fiat Panda: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Fiat Pandas, from 1,983 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,983MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
3,700typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Fiat Pandas than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Coil springs2.1× usual
    Fiat Panda
    22.5% All 2004 cars
    10.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 2.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Exhaust system1.9× usual
    Fiat Panda
    18.1% All 2004 cars
    9.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.5% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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 absorbers2.1× usual
    Fiat Panda
    14.9% All 2004 cars
    7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 1.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Side repeaters3.2× usual
    Fiat Panda
    6.4% All 2004 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 2.9% here, against 17.1% of all 2004 cars. Headlights: 6.2% here, against 13.7% of all 2004 cars.

By area

The share of 2004 Fiat Panda MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    60% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    37% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    33% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    33% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    27% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    20% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Fiat Panda?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022539Tyres 15%
2021750Tyres 20%
20201,581Tyres 24%
20192,552Tyres 24%
20182,666Tyres 28%
20173,492Tyres 29%
20164,794Tyres 29%
20157,857Suspension 36%
20147,856Suspension 38%
20137,299Suspension 43%
20126,167Suspension 46%
20115,046Suspension 59%
20108,116Suspension 60%
20099,043Suspension 59%
20084,113Suspension 60%
20074,274Suspension 59%
20063,215Suspension 59%
20052,451Suspension 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Fiat Pandas registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score