2015 Fiat Panda 1.2L Petrol · GD64 CKC

This 2015 Fiat Panda presents a peculiar MOT profile that warrants careful consideration, as every recorded test over the past three years shows either a pass with no advisories or a fail with no defects recorded at all. The most recent outcome on 2 October 2025 was a clean pass following a same-day fail on 1 October 2025, a pattern mirrored in October 2024 when the vehicle passed on the 11th after failing on the 3rd. This near-identical annual sequence strongly suggests the car is repeatedly presented for test in an unroadworthy state, likely with something as straightforward as a missing or defective screen washer, a registration plate issue, or an inoperative lamp, before being immediately rectified and retested. Mechanically, the absence of any structural, braking, or suspension advisories across all records is a genuinely positive indicator, pointing to a chassis and running gear that have not yet developed the corrosion or worn components commonly seen on Panda equivalents of this vintage. The vehicle is clearly being maintained to a standard sufficient to clear roadworthiness criteria without requiring any advisory observations. With 63,813 miles accumulated over roughly eleven years, this Panda is averaging around 5,800 miles per year, which sits at the lower end of typical usage for its age and platform. There are no extended gaps in MOT testing, suggesting continuous road use rather than long-term lay-up, though the relatively low annual mileage does imply a high proportion of short journeys and cold starts. Such usage patterns are known to accelerate certain wear characteristics independent of overall mileage, particularly the formation of condensation in the engine oil, premature timing belt degradation relative to years rather than miles, and surface corrosion on brake discs from infrequent sustained braking. The consistency of the mileage accumulation also suggests no odometer discrepancy, which is reassuring. For a prospective buyer, the primary inspection focus should be on the specific components and systems that, while not flagged in the MOT record, are statistically prone to wear on low-mileage urban vehicles of this type. The rear suspension should be checked for tired bushings, as the Panda uses a torsion beam arrangement that can develop knocking over uneven surfaces when the rubber has hardened. Brake discs should be inspected for lipping and surface rust, particularly given the low average speeds implied by the mileage profile, and a test drive should include several firm stops from around 30 mph to confirm there is no pedal judder or pulling. The exhaust system, including the rear silencer and mounting rubbers, should be examined for the kind of rust perforation commonly found on cars that have done many short trips, and a cold start should be observed to confirm no excessive smoke or rough idle. Given the repeated same-week fail-then-pass pattern, it is worth asking the seller directly what was actually rectified between the two October 2025 tests, as the DVSA record itself does not disclose the reason for the failure. A test drive should include careful listening for any clonks from the front suspension over speed humps, checking for a vague or wandering feeling through the steering that might indicate worn tie rod ends, and verifying that the clutch bite point is firm and progressive without slipping under load. The tyre tread depth should be measured and the sidewalls checked for cracking, as low-mileage cars are often fitted with ageing tyres that have hardened beyond their useful service life despite retaining legal tread. Finally, verifying the timing belt replacement interval is critical, as this engine family is particularly sensitive to belt age, and the car's eleventh year makes it due regardless of the modest mileage on the odometer.