2007 Fiat Panda 1.4L Petrol · LA07 EZS

The 2007 Fiat Panda passed its most recent MOT on 14 May 2026 at 112,635 miles, just over a month ago, meaning the certificate is current and the vehicle was deemed roadworthy at that exact mileage. The maintenance trend, however, is neither stable nor clearly improving; it is a mixed picture of repeated low-level faults that the tester has continued to record as advisories rather than failures. The rear coil springs have been flagged as corroded in every test from January 2023 through May 2026, suggesting a persistent and unresolved corrosion issue at the rear suspension rather than a one-off defect. Front brake discs have appeared as worn but not excessively in both 2025 and 2026, and front brake pads were noted as wearing thin in 2025, indicating the braking system is seeing genuine use and will need ongoing attention. The rear tyres have been repeatedly flagged for cracking or perishing across multiple tests, which points to either infrequent tyre replacement or long periods of standing causing rubber degradation. At 112,635 miles over roughly nineteen years, the Panda has covered an average of approximately 5,928 miles per year, which is notably low for a petrol supermini of this age. The mileage progression is remarkably tight: it moved only 4 miles between the failed and passed tests on 21 May 2024 at 109,431, then gained just 4 miles more by 31 January 2023 at 109,427, suggesting the car was barely used during that window. From January 2023 to May 2025 the mileage rose to 111,074, a gain of roughly 1,647 miles over more than two years, and then to 112,635 by May 2026, adding another 1,561 miles in twelve months. This pattern is consistent with very light, local use, possibly with extended periods off the road, which helps explain the recurring tyre perishing and underbody corrosion flagged in 2023. A buyer inspecting this vehicle in person should focus first on the rear suspension area, where corrosion has been a consistent theme across four consecutive MOTs. Both rear coil springs need close visual inspection for pitting, scaling, or thinning that could indicate advanced structural corrosion rather than surface rust. The rear wheel bearings were flagged as slightly noisy in 2025, so a road test should include listening for humming or rumbling from the rear at varying speeds. The front brake discs have been repeatedly noted as worn, so measuring disc thickness against manufacturer minimum specifications is advisable, along with checking pad depth. The nearside front shock absorber had a light oil misting in 2025 that has not reappeared in 2026, but it should still be checked for any fresh weeping or damping loss. The underbody and structural components were flagged as corroded in the January 2023 test, and while this did not appear as a formal item in subsequent records, it has not been explicitly cleared either. A thorough inspection underneath the car, particularly around suspension mounting points, subframes, and floor pans, is essential. The offside front seat belt webbing has been noted as frayed or slightly damaged in three separate tests spanning 2023 to 2024, and if this has not been replaced, it remains a functional safety concern. The fuel filler cap was missing in 2023, and the windscreen has carried damage across multiple tests, so confirming the filler cap is present and assessing whether the windscreen chip has spread or requires replacement would be prudent before purchase.