Engine choice

Mechanical simplicity is the order of the day with the Panda so, while they do have a few common problems, they’re usually pretty straightforward to fix – at least on those fittted with petrol engines.

Both the 1.1 and 1.2-litre units are based on Fiat’s FIRE family of engines and survive well into high mileages, though they do develop a thirst for oil as they get older. Don’t assume that regular oil top-ups are just a sign of age, though, as they’re also known to suffer from head gasket failure, which normally manifests itself slowly, and they’ll often go on for years with early-stage symptoms. A pressure test or sniff test will let you know if problems are on their way, but the good news is that head gasket replacement itself isn’t a major job. Catch it early and it’ll be a two or three-hour job, or a morning’s garage labour.

The revvy 1.4-litre unit in the 100hp is a sturdy engine, and one that has been used widely by Fiat with few problems other than those standard wear and tear. Despite its lively performance it will still deliver respectable fuel efficiency.

The one to watch here is the 1.3 Multijet. It may have made sense to the most frugal drivers when new, not least because it’s a responsive and powerful engine for its compact dimensions, but it’s not great for reliability. Not only is the engine prone to head gasket failure with the regularity of a Rover K-series, it also suffers from a much more serious problem – cam chain failure. Over time, the tensioner loosens up and the chain itself stretches, with often catastrophic consequences.

If you hear a rattle when running, or a distinct chattering noise when you switch the engine off, walk away. Chasing 65mpg probably isn’t worth the hassle when you’ll get 50mpg out of a 1.1 or 1.2 petrol anyway.