2016 Fiat Panda 1.2L Petrol · LV66 DFN

The 2016 FIAT Panda presents a mixed picture. Its most recent MOT on 6 January 2026 at 54,734 miles passed, but the same four advisories reappeared exactly one year earlier on 14 January 2025 at 46,841 miles. Nearside and offside rear brake cables were flagged as damaged but not to excess, and both front brake discs were noted as worn, pitted or scored but not seriously weakened. These identical defects appearing across consecutive annual tests indicate a stable, unresolved condition rather than a sudden failure, yet the owner has chosen to monitor rather than rectify them. The maintenance trend is essentially flat, with no meaningful improvement in the braking system over the past two years. At roughly 5,473 miles per year, this Panda has covered low annual mileage for a ten-year-old city car. The mileage progression is steady, jumping from 29,371 miles in September 2022 to 37,707 miles in September 2023, then to 46,841 miles in January 2025, and finally 54,734 miles in January 2026. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden spikes in accumulation. Low mileage can mean less mechanical wear, but it also raises the question of prolonged standing periods, which can cause brake cables to deteriorate and localised corrosion to develop. The sump corrosion noted in both 2025 tests supports that possibility. Buyers should focus their physical inspection on the rear brake cables and front brake discs, as these components have drawn advisory attention for two consecutive years. Damaged brake cables can seize or snap under load, and pitted discs reduce braking efficiency while accelerating pad wear. The sump corrosion flagged in January 2025 warrants a close look underneath, particularly around the drain plug and mating surface, to assess whether it has progressed to the point of oil seepage or structural weakness. The coolant leak from the thermostat housing that caused the January 2025 failure appears to have been repaired before the retest, but the cooling system should still be examined for fresh signs of weeping around the thermostat and radiator connections. The suspension also deserves attention. In January 2025, both rear upper shock absorber bushes were excessively worn and replaced to pass the retest, yet the September 2022 test had already flagged a worn nearside rear suspension arm bush. Repeated suspension bush wear at relatively low mileage suggests the rubber components may be degrading from age rather than use. A thorough check of all suspension bushes, shock absorbers, and the condition of the front tyres for uneven wear would be prudent before purchase.