2009 Fiat Panda 1.1L Petrol · ML59 KCF

The Fiat Panda's latest DVSA examination on 2 October 2025 recorded a Pass, although it was preceded on the same date by a Fail on a windscreen washer issue subsequently rectified. Looking at the broader trajectory, the 2022 and 2025 test entries were both clean Passes apart from easily resolved PRS items, and the intervening years show only minor advisories rather than escalating mechanical concerns. The recurring advisories on front wishbone bushes, front tyre edge wear, and rear axle and exhaust corrosion have appeared consistently across the last two tests, indicating a steady pattern of wear consistent with age rather than any sudden deterioration. Overall the maintenance trend is stable with predictable age-related degradation, and there are no advisories relating to brake inefficiency, structural integrity, lighting, or emissions. With a recorded mileage of 21,184 miles across seventeen years, this Panda has covered an average of just over 1,200 miles annually, which is exceptionally low even for an economy city car. Such low usage typically indicates either short journeys predominantly around town, periods of inactivity, or limited use as a second vehicle. While low mileage preserves the engine internals from excessive wear, it brings its own considerations: prolonged standing allows corrosion to take hold on ferrous components such as the rear axle and exhaust back box already flagged in the MOT records, encourages moisture accumulation in the engine oil and brake fluid, and places uneven demand on the 12 volt battery and starting system. Any prospective buyer should therefore be alert to condition issues arising from calendar ageing rather than distance alone. The two most pressing mechanical items to inspect are the front suspension and the brakes. The advisories on both front wishbone bushes and the slightly worn rear shock absorber bushes mean that on a test drive you should listen carefully for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, speed humps, or when turning sharply at low speed, and feel for vagueness or wandering from the steering. The offside front brake pads were flagged as wearing thin, so check visually for pad material remaining and feel for any brake shudder, pulling to one side, or a spongy pedal, which could indicate uneven wear or a binding caliper that has seized through lack of use. The front tyres have been repeatedly noted as wearing on their edges, which often points to worn suspension bushes or incorrect tracking; a four-wheel alignment check alongside replacement of the bushes would be prudent. Beyond the recorded defects, age-related checks are critical on a low-mileage Panda of seventeen years. Inspect all four tyres, including the rear pair which are not flagged, for sidewall perishing and cracking from UV exposure and standing, even if the tread depth appears adequate. Examine the rear axle and exhaust back box closely for advanced rusting, as the advisories indicate corrosion is already present and replacement may be imminent. Verify the condition of the 12 volt battery, as a unit of this age is well beyond its typical service life and prone to cold-start failure. Confirm by documentation and physical check that the brake fluid, coolant, and engine oil have been changed at appropriate calendar intervals, ideally every two years regardless of mileage, as these fluids degrade with time. Finally, ensure there is evidence of regular cambelt and service history, and that the timing belt replacement interval, typically every five years or 60,000 miles on the Fiat 1.2 litre engine, has been observed, as neglect of this item can result in catastrophic engine failure.