2021 Fiat Panda Cross: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the Fiat Panda Cross first registered in 2021: we looked at the 306 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 306 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2021 Fiat Panda Cross?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2021 Fiat Panda Cross than on all cars registered in 2021.
- Suspension arm bushes and joints28× usualFiat Panda Cross25.2% All 2021 cars0.9%
Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 0.1% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Common 2021 Fiat Panda Cross MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2021 Fiat Panda Cross MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension26% 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.
- Tyres20% 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.
- Brakes16% 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 electrics4% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors4% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Oil and fluid leaks3% 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.
Known faults on the 2021 Fiat Panda Cross
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- Manual gearbox
Noisy clutch or gearbox
Some cars have a loud noise from the clutch or gearbox, put down to a faulty clutch.
At the viewing: Listen with the clutch up and down at idle, and pulling away.
- 1.2 petrol
Hesitant pulling away (1.2 petrol)
The Euro 6 1.2 petrol can feel short of power pulling away. A software update fixes it.
At the viewing: Pull away from a standstill a few times.
- All engines
Boot lock failing
The electric boot lock sometimes stops working and has to be replaced.
At the viewing: Open the boot several times.
- All engines
Dashboard rattle
Loose dashboard brackets rattle, usually on the passenger side.
At the viewing: Listen on a rough road.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Fiat Panda Cross
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 28× as often on the 2021 Fiat Panda Cross as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Fiat Panda Cross?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Fiat Panda Cross cars first registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score