Used car guide

2004 Fiat Panda: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Fiat Panda first registered in 2004: we looked at the 7,432 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,432MOTs of 2004 cars, done in 2023–2025
50%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 57%)
3,800typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for coil springs

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Fiat Panda?

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

  • Coil springs2× usual
    Fiat Panda
    21.1% All 2004 cars
    10.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 2.7% 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.

  • Shock absorbers2.2× usual
    Fiat Panda
    14.7% All 2004 cars
    6.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, 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.

  • Exhaust system1.7× usual
    Fiat Panda
    16.7% All 2004 cars
    9.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2.8% 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.

  • Side repeaters3.3× usual
    Fiat Panda
    6.3% All 2004 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, 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 17.4% of all 2004 cars. Headlights: 4.9% here, against 13.2% of all 2004 cars.

Common 2004 Fiat Panda MOT failures and advisories

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
    57% 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
    34% 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
    30% 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
    24% 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
    19% 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.

Known faults on the 2004 Fiat Panda

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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Fiat Panda

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2004 Fiat Panda as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2004 Fiat Panda as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2004 Fiat Panda as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Fiat Panda?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Fiat Panda compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
2022552Tyres 15%
20211,490Tyres 18%
20204,660Tyres 18%
20197,586Tyres 21%
20187,901Tyres 24%
201710,413Tyres 26%
201614,349Tyres 27%
201523,427Suspension 31%
201423,577Suspension 34%
201322,219Suspension 38%
201218,874Suspension 43%
201115,786Suspension 57%
201025,882Suspension 58%
200929,120Suspension 57%
200814,021Suspension 57%
200714,873Suspension 57%
200611,524Suspension 57%
20058,835Suspension 58%
2003215Suspension 58%
1995–Too few tests
1994–Too few tests
1993126Suspension 48%
1992146Lights and electrics 36%
1991112Suspension 34%
1990122Lights and electrics 33%
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests

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 cars first registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score