2018 Fiat Panda MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 78.8% of Fiat Pandas first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 8,001 Panda first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) and lamps and electrical equipment.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Fiat Pandas first used in 2018 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2018 Fiat Panda MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Pandas first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Panda figure was in line with the all-cars figure.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 Panda | All cars first used 2018 | Panda first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 90.4% | 87.6% | 2,700 |
| 2022 | 87.2% | 86.3% | 2,688 |
| 2023 | 83.6% | 84.2% | 2,665 |
| 2024 | 81.2% | 82.5% | 2,677 |
| 2025 | 78.8% | 80.9% | 2,659 |
Common 2018 Fiat Panda MOT failures
Share of the 1,505 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 24.7% | 372 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 20.5% | 309 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 6.7% | 101 |
| Headlamp aim: too high | 4.9% | 73 |
| Stop lamp: not working | 4.9% | 73 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Panda in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2018 Fiat Panda before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
Common 2018 Fiat Panda MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 Pandas, as a share of all 8,001 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 13.3% | 1,062 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 9.3% | 741 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 7.4% | 590 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 3.6% | 289 |
| Shock absorbers: has a slightly worn bush | 2.8% | 227 |
Questions about the 2018 Fiat Panda MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 Fiat Panda?
In 2025, 78.8% of Pandas first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 Panda most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 32.6% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (26.5%) and lamps and electrical equipment (25.2%). The single most common item was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (24.7%).
How often does a 2018 Fiat Panda fail its MOT?
In 2025, 21.2% of first tests on Pandas first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 16.5% failed, and a further 4.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,505 of 8,001 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 Fiat Panda MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 13.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (9.3%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (7.4%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (3.6%) and “Shock absorbers: has a slightly worn bush” (2.8%).
Is a 2018 Fiat Panda reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 90.4% in 2021 to 78.8% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
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