2009 Fiat Panda 1.2L Petrol · WN58 LCM

The most recent DVSA examination, recorded on 20 December 2025, returned a pass with no defects or advisories, and the vehicle has therefore demonstrated current roadworthiness as of the latest statutory test. The broader trend across the recorded MOT history is consistently positive, with passes documented in January 2023, January 2024, and January 2025, and only a single failed outcome on 7 January 2025 which was followed immediately by a pass on 8 January 2025. The absence of recorded advisories on any of the recent tests is a reassuring indicator, suggesting that the previous keeper addressed wear items promptly and did not allow minor defects to accumulate between examinations. While a clean record over a two-year window does not guarantee mechanical perfection, it does indicate that the vehicle has not recently been presenting components at or near the failure threshold under standard DVSA inspection criteria. The recorded mileage of 102,347 miles across a 17-year service life equates to an annualised usage of approximately 6,020 miles, which is broadly typical for a small city-oriented hatchback of this vintage. There are no glaring inconsistencies or impossible mileage progressions within the provided data, and the steady annual accumulation points to consistent rather than sporadic use. This pattern is generally favourable, as regularly driven vehicles tend to suffer less from the deleterious effects of standing, such as seized brake calipers, corroded brake discs, perished rubber components, and degraded fluids. Nevertheless, 102,347 miles is a substantial figure for a vehicle of this class, and wear on major consumables including clutches, suspension bushes, coil springs, exhaust components, and engine mountings should be anticipated in proportion to that total. Given the clean MOT record and the modest annual mileage, a prospective buyer should focus on age-related deterioration that the standard MOT test may not fully capture. Tyres fitted to a 17-year-old vehicle, even if they retain legal tread depth, may exhibit sidewall cracking or perishing caused by prolonged exposure to UV light and ozone, and the production date mouldings on the sidewalls should be checked to ensure they are within a sensible service life, typically no more than five to six years from manufacture. The 12V battery should be load-tested, as original equipment units will long since have been replaced, and a marginal battery can produce intermittent electrical faults and starting problems. Brake discs, particularly those on a low-mileage or irregularly driven car, can develop significant surface corrosion or lipping, and a careful inspection of disc edges for a pronounced ridge is warranted, along with assessment of caliper slide pins for binding after periods of standing. Time-based servicing is another critical consideration. Coolant, brake fluid, and automatic transmission fluid, where applicable, degrade on a calendar basis regardless of mileage, and the buyer should seek documented evidence that these have been renewed at the manufacturer-recommended intervals. Engine oil and filter changes should be verified through service book stamps or digital records, with particular attention to any extended drain intervals that could have contributed to internal engine wear. On a test drive, listen for suspension clonks over uneven surfaces, which may indicate worn anti-roll bar drop links or strut top mountings, and feel for any pulling under braking that could suggest a seizing brake caliper. The Fiat Panda of this era is also known for potential issues with water ingress into the rear wheel arches and for corrosion around the rear axle, so a thorough visual examination underneath the vehicle, ideally with the car raised on a ramp, is strongly recommended to confirm structural integrity. Finally, a pre-purchase inspection by an independent garage familiar with the marque would provide additional assurance and help identify any developing concerns before commitment.