2018 Fiat Panda 1.2L Petrol · YA67 TMU

The most recent DVSA examination on 5 December 2025 returned a Pass, but the surrounding history should give any prospective buyer pause. Just seven days earlier, on 28 November 2025, the vehicle failed its MOT with two Major defects and was presumably repaired and returned the following week. A Major failure on an exhaust leak from a loose mid-pipe to silencer joint indicates compromised sealing at a flexible or clamping point, and a fractured nearside front coil spring is a significant structural and safety concern, as a broken coil can allow the wheel to move unpredictably under braking and cornering. Together with the advisories carried forward for perished offside rear outer tyres and front tyres worn on both inner and outer edges, the late-2025 record suggests an accumulation of deferred maintenance rather than a stable mechanical picture. Going back further, the 2024 advisory on front brake pads and the 2022 advisories on both front tyres approaching the legal limit indicate a recurring pattern of consumable wear being allowed to reach the warning stage before being addressed. Mileage of 34,668 on an eight-year-old vehicle equates to an annual average of roughly 4,300 miles, which is markedly below typical usage for a city car of this type. Such low annual mileage can be beneficial for major drivetrain components such as the engine, clutch and gearbox, but it carries its own set of risks. Long periods of standing accelerate corrosion on brake discs, calipers and the underbody, degrade the 12V battery through repeated shallow discharge cycles, and allow brake caliper slider mechanisms to seize or bind. The oil leak advisory from 2023, described as a porous sump weeping rather than excessively, is consistent with an ageing vehicle and may have progressed since. Fluid degradation is also calendar-dependent rather than mileage-dependent, so brake fluid, coolant and the original timing belt or chain service schedule should be reviewed against age rather than against miles covered. On a physical inspection, particular care is required around the coil spring replacement carried out after the November 2025 failure. It is worth verifying whether the opposing spring and the associated strut top mount and suspension bushes on the same axle were renewed at the same time, as a fractured coil on one side is often a precursor to the other side failing, especially on a vehicle that has spent long periods standing on worn tyres. The exhaust joint repair should be checked for fresh securing compound, and the area should be examined for black soot staining indicating a continuing leak. Brake discs, particularly the rears if the vehicle has been stationary for extended periods, may show heavy surface corrosion and lipping; severe pitting beyond the working surface could necessitate replacement regardless of pad wear. The sump area should be re-inspected for fresh oil residue, ideally on a clean undertray, to confirm whether the porous leak is worsening. The tyre condition recorded at the late-2025 test is a critical concern for a 2018-built vehicle. Perishing of the offside rear outer tyre and wear on both edges of the front tyres suggest either incorrect wheel alignment, worn suspension bushes or a tracking issue following the fractured coil spring, or simply that the tyres have aged beyond their safe service life regardless of tread depth. On any test drive, listen for suspension clonks over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, particularly from the nearside front, and pay attention to steering wander, pulling to one side under braking, or a sense of the front end feeling unsettled. Check for uneven inner or outer shoulder wear across all four tyres, and inspect sidewalls for cracks caused by UV exposure, which is common on low-mileage cars kept outdoors. Beyond the MOT record, confirm that the service book or digital history demonstrates annual time-based servicing with fresh oil and filter changes, that the brake fluid has been renewed within the past two years, and that the 12V battery holds charge under load, as these are the items most likely to have been neglected on a low-mileage, intermittently used city car.