2019 Fiat Panda — MOT failures & pass rate
11,328 MOT tests on the 2019 Fiat Panda are in this dataset, and 90.5% of them passed. That is effectively the same as city cars of a similar age (8.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (3.2%) and visibility (3.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, coil spring and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 338 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.7% in the 0-30k band and 25.0% in the 90-120k band, a 17.3-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 15.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 3.2% | 363 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.1% | 347 |
| 3 | Tyres | 2.8% | 315 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.7% | 304 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.8% | 199 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.9% | 107 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 338 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 307 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 233 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 141 |
| 5 | Washers | 114 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 86 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 15.5% | 1,759 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.8% | 1,456 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.8% | 547 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.4% | 379 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.8% | 207 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.8% | 205 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 8,469 | 7.7% |
| 30-60k | 2,477 | 13.8% |
| 60-90k | 341 | 19.9% |
| 90-120k | 36 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 109 | 11.9% |
| 2022 | 2,713 | 5.1% |
| 2023 | 2,800 | 7.8% |
| 2024 | 2,816 | 11.7% |
| 2025 | 2,890 | 12.8% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Panda
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 3.2% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (3.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Visibility (3.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (2.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2019 Fiat Pandas pass their MOT?
90.5% of the 11,328 2019 Fiat Panda MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Fiat Panda?
Suspension, recorded in 3.2% of tests, followed by visibility (3.1%).
Does the 2019 Panda get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.7% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,328 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.