Hi
As you know the Panda multijet has a spring like flexible dip stick. However when I check the oil level I remove it and wipe it as you should then re-insert it before removing it again to read it, however the bottom few inches is always smeared with oil, meaning I don't actually know how much oil I have.

(I always check oil level as normal, on the flat without recently running the engine)

This is of particular concern as I have a small oil leak from the cam chain case and with the smearing on the dip stick, it could look like I've more oil than I really have. I've not added any oil since about April and surely the oil level must have gone down since then.

I don't want to risk adding extra oil as it could damage the engine and ruin the catalytic converter.

Is there any certain way of checking the oil on the Panda Multijet?

Lots of folks have difficulty reading oil levels using dipsticks.

There are two simple things you can do to get a more accurate reading.

1. Insert & wipe the dipstick three or four times to clean any residual oil from the inner walls of the outer dipstick tube. Make sure you wipe the whole length of the dipstick.

and

2. Keep the dipstick vertical after you remove it until you've taken the reading. If you tilt the dipstick to read it, modern oils will easily flow back and give you a false indication.

Hope this helps.

The level is only hard to read just after changing the oil and filter, very soon it will go nice and dark and be easy to see.

I find if you have too much oil in so its its higher than the flat section and on to the spiral section you will never be able to see the level .. To confirm this wipe your dipstick but don't push the dipstick fully home maybe 1inch out to start and then I think it will be on the flat section so you can read it