What is the name for the plastic part highlighted in the first photo? My car has a crack (see second image) - will this be an MoT issue? I'm concerned headlight alignment may be compromised.

That's the complete front panel. Has it had a bump?

Fiat part number is 51700202
Have a search on Google.
Found these.
https://www.carpanels.com/catalogue/moreinfo/CP8207
https://www.carpanels.com/catalogue/moreinfo/CP8207

Thanks. Yes, the car has had a bump. Bumper, crash bar and one headlight need replacing. The front panel part is cheaper than I expected, but looks a bit of a job to swap out.

PS This is a 100HP. Still the standard part number 51700202?

Yep, found the part number 51700202 so it is the same.

Would appreciate advise regarding that crack. Is this likely to cause issues with beam alignment? I'd rather not replace the panel if I don't have to.

Ideally you need a new part.

However, it's not a structural item so if it's not distorted you can repair it with alloy plates and pop rivets to restore it's strength.

It's the sort of part a breaker would just throw away so a good used part should not cost Megabux.

As the car has been bumped it would make sense to have a proper look underneath. There might be hidden damage/problems that you will want to get sorted.

its a weak point on the front cassette panel
if its not broken on the mounts where the front crash bar sits then just repair with a bracket and some self tappers as already said
it wont fail an mot unless as you say you cant get the headlamp beam right because the light sits too far back
they are not too difficult to replace if you prefer and you can leave the radiators hanging but supported whilst you change it

Thanks for the advice. A thorough inspection of the front and underside revealed nothing but superficial damage. The crash bar took the force, but it didn't mark the radiator. There is just that crack along the top edge of the front panel. I was tempted to rivet a plate across it, but if it's possible to replace the panel without having to remove/disconnect the rad, then I may as well do that.

I'm expecting the sourcing of a replacement 100HP bumper to take a fair bit longer than all other necessary work.

There no constancy when MOT'ing a car.

One station my fail a car and another pass the same car. Its very subjective.

Bit like failing for excessive play. How much is excessive ?

10 working days for a free retest isn't long if you want to source second hand part. I have just gone through this and lost a couple of days when the wrong strut was supplied.

I would either take it of and fiberglass it from the other side so it was an invisible repair or replace it to save any problems latter on.

I have been advised by a retailer that the front panel for the 100HP model is different from the standard Panda. The part code on mine is 51700202 though. Can anyone confirm that the panel is different in any way?

ribbit said:

I have been advised by a retailer that the front panel for the 100HP model is different from the standard Panda. The part code on mine is 51700202 though. Can anyone confirm that the panel is different in any way?

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Firstly, apologies, I duplicated my links, but the alternative is a lot more expensive.

The Fiat listing I gave shows one front frame for all models. The retailer is wrong.
If you look at the pic below, you'll see that the same page as I showed before, lower down, lists the battery trays, with alternatives. M17 is the 100hp engine code on the listings. The fact that this page shows an alternative battery tray, but not an alternative front frame, is evidence that one frame fits all.

The 100hp is 'V8' in the parts listings, and you'll see the headings include this with the others. Known as an Abarth in other markets.
The 100hp front bumper part number is 735438052. Good luck finding one of those.
https://www.fiatdalys.lt/en/catalog/diagrams/707/2Q/0/0/M17/0/GD/outer-accessories
https://www.fiatdalys.lt/en/catalog/parts/707/26/1/1/2Q/0/0/M17/0/GD/front-bumper-
The links above don't seem to work properly. Right-click it and choose open in new tab, should then work.
A bit expensive. Also found this:
http://www.eurekacarparts.com/fiat/735438052

Thanks, much appreciated. I am aware that the front bumper is going to be expensive, but thankfully it seems the other required works are straightforward.

Don't use self tappers. As Dave said, use rivets. Make an ali plate to fit underneath, drill several rivet holes either side of the crack, and rivet the plate to the plastic. The squeezing action of the rivets will pull the plastic into shape.
I had to do a similar job on another car, and a touch of matt black paint on the rivet heads made the job almost invisible.

Sweetsixteen said:

Don't use self tappers. As Dave said, use rivets. Make an ali plate to fit underneath, drill several rivet holes either side of the crack, and rivet the plate to the plastic. The squeezing action of the rivets will pull the plastic into shape.
I had to do a similar job on another car, and a touch of matt black paint on the rivet heads made the job almost invisible.

Click to expand...

Put identical rivets on the opposite side, it'll look standard.

Sweetsixteen said:

Don't use self tappers. As Dave said, use rivets. Make an ali plate to fit underneath, drill several rivet holes either side of the crack, and rivet the plate to the plastic. The squeezing action of the rivets will pull the plastic into shape.
I had to do a similar job on another car, and a touch of matt black paint on the rivet heads made the job almost invisible.

Click to expand...

Sounds like a good plan to me.


I would add a small washer on the top to spread the load.

portland_bill said:

Put identical rivets on the opposite side, it'll look standard.

Click to expand...

Good idea