2004 Fiat Panda 1.2L Petrol · LT54 HMJ

The most recent MOT in October 2025 resulted in a pass, but this followed an immediate failure just three days prior for the same serious defects. The vehicle currently carries advisories for corrosion on all four coil springs and slight corrosion on both rear brake hose ferrules, alongside a non-excessive oil leak. These are not minor cosmetic issues; they represent active degradation of critical safety components that have persisted and expanded over the last two years. The condition trend is clearly worsening rather than stabilising. In 2023, only the front suspension showed wear and the rear tyres were perishing. By 2024, corrosion had appeared on the front coil springs. By late 2025, this rust has spread to every single coil spring on the car and has now attacked the metal fittings on the rear brake hoses. The recurrence of brake hose corrosion and the progression of spring rust indicate that the underbody protection has failed and moisture is actively compromising structural integrity. With 130,963 miles recorded over 22 years, the average annual mileage is low at roughly 6,000 miles. While this suggests the car was not subjected to high-stress motorway commuting, low mileage can be deceptive for a vehicle of this age.