Is the Fiat Panda reliable?
The Fiat Panda is a robust and durable car, particularly in 4x4 and Cross form. Indeed, there are a number of known issues (see below) but these are all repairable, with parts readily available.
The Panda didn't feature in What Car?'s recent reliability survery, but Fiat as a brand did and it finished a respectable 12th out of 31 manufacturers.
Drivetrain: The rear differential on 4x4 Pandas can weep oil, typically caused by a worn or damaged seal. Severe leaks might require a new diff, but if the leak is only minor, a new seal can solve it. A diff can cost around £300 to £900 on eBay.
Oil can also leak from the propshaft where it meets the front transfer case. The seal is often the culprit and costs £20 to £40 for a new one – a complex job, though, so best done by a professional.
Brakes: Listen for any squealing noises from the rear brakes. Cleaning them and adding grease can help matters. For the worst cases, Fiat offers vibration dampers to stop the issue entirely.
Interior: The rear seats can rattle but greasing the latches can sort this out. Trim pieces and the dashboard can also rattle, but that’s something you will have to live with.
Body: The 4x4s might have tackled the odd rough track, so check the skidplates, plastic bumpers and underside for any damage. Boot mechanism and latch is known for being faulty, so check it shuts properly, else you will have to fork out for a new assembly.