2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Fiat Panda MOT pass rate and common faults

2,491 MOT tests in 2024. 50.2% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

89Well below average
Passed first time50.2%
Failed or needed repairs49.8%
Typical mileage at test77,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,491 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements7.9%
  2. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength6.0%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm5.6%
    217 marked dangerous
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.1%
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak5.0%
  6. Service brake imbalance: across an axle4.3%
  7. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases4.0%
  8. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side4.0%
  9. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.4%
  10. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn3.4%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension31.7%
  2. Brakes30.3%
  3. Lights & electrics28.1%
  4. Emissions & leaks13.0%
  5. Body & chassis11.2%
  6. Tyres11.2%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)11.0%
  8. Steering4.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine22.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm21.6%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened21.0%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.0%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases10.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All Panda years2005 Panda →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Fiat Panda?

In 2024, 50.2% of 2004 Fiat Panda cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,491 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Fiat Panda?

The most common failure reasons were rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2004 Fiat Panda reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 89, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).