2009 Fiat Panda 1.2L Petrol · RO59 OMD

The vehicle currently holds a roadworthy certificate, but the recent history reveals a pattern of reactive rather than proactive maintenance. While the car passed in March 2026 at 124,065 miles, this followed two significant failures within a three-month window. The trend shows a sharp decline in mechanical standards between late 2025 and early 2026, though the most recent advisory only notes a worn bush on the offside front shock absorber mount, suggesting the most critical safety faults have been temporarily addressed. At 17 years old, the recorded mileage of 124,065 miles averages to approximately 7,300 miles per year, which is consistent with an older city car. However, the data shows a period of high activity between January 2025 and March 2026, where the vehicle covered nearly 9,200 miles in just fourteen months. This rapid accumulation, combined with the frequent failures for lighting and suspension components, suggests the vehicle has been used heavily without consistent inspections of consumable wear items until an MOT test necessitated them. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the front suspension geometry, as the record shows recurring issues with nearside front lower arm bushes and ball joints dating back over a year. The January 2026 failure for a ball joint likely to become detached is a serious safety concern that indicates potential neglect of the steering assembly. The braking system also requires close scrutiny; the March 2026 failure identified a leaking nearside rear brake valve and insufficient pedal travel, which suggests the hydraulic system or master cylinder may be nearing the end of its life or poorly maintained. The electrical system appears unreliable, as evidenced by multiple failures related to inoperative lamps, indicators, and a non-standard wiper switch. The presence of the non-standard switch suggests budget-conscious repairs may have been used to bypass original faults. Given the previous exhaust noise and leak issues noted in early 2025, the buyer should also check for structural corrosion around the exhaust and mounting points to ensure the structural integrity of the chassis remains sound despite its age.