2015 Fiat Panda 0.9L Petrol · P22 RBB

A Fiat Panda of this vintage, particularly one showing brake-related irregularities during its most recent failure event, warrants closer inspection of the front braking system despite the reassuringly clean results since. The 2026-07-11 test recorded a pass with no advisories, continuing a pattern of two successive clean results earlier in 2026 and a further pass at the 2024-05-16 retest. However, that earlier 2024-05-16 entry is the significant marker: both front service brakes were flagged as excessively fluctuating under the 1.2.1 (e) category, classified as Major defects. Major brake fluctuations typically point toward caliper slide pins seizing, worn or contaminated brake pads, warped or unevenly worn front discs, or a flexible hose that has internally deteriorated and is expanding under hydraulic pressure. The fact that the same test produced a pass on the same date suggests the work was rectified immediately, but the underlying components that caused the issue are still fitted to the vehicle, and any buyer should treat the front brake rebuild as a relatively recent but unverified repair. The recorded mileage of 23,472 miles across eleven years equates to approximately 2,134 miles annually, which is substantially below typical Panda usage for a city-oriented vehicle of this era. The MOT file contains no gaps spanning more than twelve months between tests, suggesting the car has remained in active use rather than being laid up, and the mileage progression between tests appears broadly consistent with gentle accumulation rather than long-distance motorway work. Mechanically, lower annual mileage of this nature tends to preserve the engine internals and reduce wear on drivetrain components, but it can conversely accelerate corrosion on undersealed surfaces, dry out suspension bushes and rubber boots, and allow brake discs to develop surface rust or pitting that becomes uneven once the vehicle returns to regular service. For a Panda, suspension components and the rear axle beam are particularly worth scrutiny given the car's light construction and tendency for the rear beam to corrode where the rubber bushes meet the metal. Given the recorded front brake fluctuation defect from 2024, a prospective buyer should carry out a focused road test paying close attention to the early part of any braking application. The pedal should feel firm and progressive rather than spongy or inconsistent, and any judder, vibration through the steering wheel, or pulsing under light to moderate braking on a smooth road surface would suggest the front discs are warped or have uneven wear following the caliper or friction material issue. Listen for any scraping or grinding from the front wheels on light application, and check that the vehicle pulls neither left nor right under steady braking, which would indicate a binding caliper or stuck slide pin on one side. Inspect the nearside front tyre carefully for any cracking, perishing, or sidewall damage consistent with the 2025 advisory, and confirm the tread depth remains above the legal minimum, as the previous advisory suggests the rubber may have been ageing even at low mileage. On the test drive, pay particular attention to steering behaviour over uneven surfaces, listening for clonks or knocks from the front suspension, and feel for any vagueness or wandering that could indicate worn drop links, top mounts, or track rod ends, all of which are common wear items on a Panda of this age regardless of MOT status. Underneath the vehicle, a thorough visual inspection with a torch is essential, focusing on the front subframe mounting points, the rear axle beam, and the brake pipes running along the chassis rails, as corrosion in these areas is a known failure point for the Panda and would not necessarily have been captured under standard MOT defect categories if surface-level. The exhaust system should be checked for signs of corrosion at the mounting brackets and joints, and the engine bay examined for any oil leaks or weeping from the cam cover or sump gasket, which can develop even on low-mileage examples. Finally, confirm the service history documentation accounts for the brake rectification work carried out following the 2024 failure, as understanding exactly which components were replaced or refurbished, whether calipers, discs, pads, or hoses, will provide valuable insight into the present condition of the braking system and whether the original cause of the fluctuation has been fully addressed or merely temporarily resolved.