Fiat Panda — Buyer's Guide
Reliability, safety, running costs and what to check before you buy.
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Fiat Panda overview
With 79,405 currently licensed in the UK, the Fiat Panda is one of Britain's well-known cars.
Euro NCAP awarded the Panda 0 stars in 2018, with 45% adult occupant and 16% child protection scores.
It has a 74.8% first-time MOT pass rate — above the UK national average of 72%. Common MOT failure areas include lighting, suspension, exhaust emissions.
Annual running costs are estimated at £2,253 for a typical 5-year-old example, breaking down to £188/month or 30p/mile.
NCAP Safety
2018
MOT Pass Rate
74.8%
55,000 tests
Monthly Cost
£188
est. annual total
New From
£18,000
Safety rating
Euro NCAP tested the Panda in 2018 and awarded it 0 out of 5 stars.
Adult Occupant
45%
Child Occupant
16%
Pedestrian
47%
Safety Assist
7%
Safety recalls
There are 17 known DVSA recalls affecting the Fiat Panda. Enter a registration number to check whether a specific vehicle is affected.
R/2023/313
On affected vehicles incorrect data has been entered on the registration document and correspondingly the Certificate of Conformity (CoC).
Build dates: 2022-09-03 to 2023-04-23
R/2024/144
On affected vehicles the reversing gear switch is not according to specification. This could result in a failure to illuminate the rear light of the vehicle during a reversing manoeuvre.
Build dates: 2023-03-28 to 2023-07-29
R/2023/282
Affected vehicles fitted with the side airbag/head airbag may not have the side crash sensor connected correctly which may in a worst-case scenario result in non-deployment of the airbag in a side impact/crash.
Build dates: 2023-03-13 to 2023-06-23
R/2023/282
Affected vehicles fitted with the side airbag/head airbag may not have the side crash sensor connected correctly which may in a worst-case scenario result in non-deployment of the airbag in a side impact/crash.
Build dates: 2023-03-13 to 2023-06-23
R/2019/096
The steering column height adjustment mechanism could accidentally release.
Build dates: 2016-09-06 to 2018-12-31
+ 12 more recalls. Check a specific vehicle to see the full list.
Reliability & MOT
Based on 55,000 MOT tests, the Panda has a first-time pass rate of 74.8% — above the UK national average of 72%.
This is a positive sign for reliability. The Panda is less likely to have issues at MOT time than the average car on UK roads.
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Running costs
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Fiat Panda are estimated at around £2,253 per year, or £188 per month.
Fuel
£999
/year
Road Tax
£195
/year
Depreciation
£654
/year
MOT
£55
/year
Estimated annual running costs based on available data. Excludes insurance, parking, and finance costs. Actual costs depend on your driving habits and circumstances.
Fuel economy
The Panda achieves a combined fuel economy of around 57.6 mpg (47.9 mpg urban, 65.7 mpg extra-urban).
| Variant | Fuel | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| PANDA | PETROL | 52.3 mpg | 0.9L |
| PANDA | PETROL/ELECTRIC | 53.3 mpg | 1.0L |
| PANDA | PETROL | 53.3 mpg | 1.0L |
| PANDA | PETROL | 49.6 mpg | 1.1L |
| PANDA | PETROL | 42.6 mpg | 1.2L |
| PANDA | DIESEL | 65.7 mpg | 1.2L |
| PANDA | PETROL | 43.5 mpg | 1.4L |
| PANDA MY21.5 | PETROL | 41.2 mpg | 0.9L |
Depreciation
Starting from £18,000 new, a Fiat Panda typically retains about 50% after 3 years and 42% after 5 years.
| Age | Retained | Est. Value | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 68% | £12,150 | −£5,850 |
| 2 years | 57% | £10,350 | −£7,650 |
| 3 years | 50% | £9,100 | −£8,900 |
| 4 years | 45% | £8,200 | −£9,800 |
| 5 years | 42% | £7,550 | −£10,450 |
| 6 years | 39% | £7,000 | −£11,000 |
| 7 years | 37% | £6,600 | −£11,400 |
| 8 years | 35% | £6,250 | −£11,750 |
| 9 years | 33% | £5,950 | −£12,050 |
| 10 years | 31% | £5,650 | −£12,350 |
How common is the Panda?
There are currently 79,405 licensed and 7,949 SORN Pandas in the UK (87,354 total). This makes it a common vehicle on UK roads.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Fiat Panda reliable?
The Panda has a 74.8% first-time MOT pass rate based on 55,000 tests — above the UK national average of 72%. This suggests good overall reliability.
How safe is the Fiat Panda?
Euro NCAP awarded the Panda 0 out of 5 stars when tested in 2018. It scored 45% for adult occupant protection, 16% for child occupant protection, 47% for vulnerable road users, and 7% for safety assist features.
How much does a Fiat Panda cost to run?
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Panda are estimated at around £2,253 per year (£188/month). This includes fuel, road tax, depreciation, and MOT fees — but excludes insurance, servicing, and repairs.
Are there any recalls on the Fiat Panda?
There are 17 known safety recalls affecting the Panda. These are issued by the DVSA when a safety defect is found. You can check if a specific vehicle is affected by entering its registration number.
How much does a new Fiat Panda cost?
A new Panda starts from around £18,000. After 5 years, a typical example retains about 42% of its original value.
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