Does the Fiat Panda fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Fiat Panda records 27.56 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 18.03 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+9.53, 95% interval +9.40 to +9.67). It ranks 69 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Fiat Panda by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Fiat Panda is “A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn”, recorded 57,717 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 57,717 | 10.15 |
| A shock absorber bush excessively worn | 26,763 | 4.71 |
| A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 20,061 | 3.53 |
| The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 12,153 | 2.14 |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 11,001 | 1.94 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 568,508 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Fiat Panda gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
24.7% of Fiat Panda MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 4,002 miles later (125,960 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 125,960 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Fiat Panda 2003 · Fiat Panda 2004 · Fiat Panda 2005 · Fiat Panda 2006 · Fiat Panda 2007 · Fiat Panda 2008 · Fiat Panda 2009 · Fiat Panda 2010 · Fiat Panda 2011 · Fiat Panda 2012 · Fiat Panda 2013 · Fiat Panda 2014 · Fiat Panda 2015 · Fiat Panda 2016 · Fiat Panda 2017 · Fiat Panda 2018 · Fiat Panda 2019 · Fiat Panda 2020 · Fiat Panda in Finland · Fiat Panda in the Netherlands · Fiat Panda by postcode area · Fiat Panda body, chassis and structure failures · Fiat Panda brakes failures · Fiat Panda vehicle identification failures · Fiat Panda lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Fiat Panda noise, emissions and leaks failures · Fiat Panda road wheels failures · Fiat Panda seat belts and airbags failures · Fiat Panda steering failures · Fiat Panda tyres failures · Fiat Panda visibility failures