Well we have a Panda in our lives again, 5th one, 3 classics a long time ago and 2 169's.
I would wish for different circumstances this time around however after both our main cars got stolen from the driveway recently we needed a cheap stopgap while we sort out a more permanent solution.
So a white 2011 1.2 mylife (with aircon!) is on the drive and I'm reminded what smashing cars these are for the price (although the 2nd hand market has gone up in the last year).
I was hoping to get an older runner like I had last time for a few hundred but the only ones around were just death traps.
New one seems quite sound, replaced the discs and pads last night (£40 for Brembo nice and simple once I'd realised I was trying to undo the carrier bolts the wrong way! , lucky I didn't shear them off, on both sides it was clear that the old brakes had not been using the disc on the inside, so a worthwhile job.

So. here we go again ...............

Caterman said:

I'm reminded what smashing cars these are for the price (although the 2nd hand market has gone up in the last year)

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They certainly were when new; you could have bagged one in 2011 for under £7k. Not bad for a 'proper' 4cyl car with 5 doors, A/C, remote locking & £30 tax.

Just one thing to be aware of; your car will most likely have the VVT 1.2 Euro5 engine, so unlike your previous Pandas, it isn't cambelt safe. Giveaway is the VVT actuator on the cam cover.

If you haven't got evidence of when it was last changed, then definitely something to think about.

Thanks re the cambelt, I believe it's due at 70k which is in a few thou miles.
Is it standard to replace the waterpump at the same time or only if that is failing at the time?

Re the price, it puts into context depreciation compared to some cars over 9 years!

Yes..
Waterpump and cambelt kit

On our 1.1 we had for 15years..

The pump bearing wore enough to skip the belt.. would have been a disaster with VVT

But being an older FIRE.. it just wanted shifting back 7 teeth and did another 40'odd thousand before we gave up with belts and bought a twinair

Caterman said:

Thanks re the cambelt, I believe it's due at 70k which is in a few thou miles.

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There have been various recommendations over the years; I believe the current one for the VVT 1.2 is 4yrs/48k, whichever comes first.

Whatever recommendation you choose to believe, if you're still running with the original belt on a 2011 car, it's well overdue now, based on time. And yes, the recommendation is to change the water pump and cambelt tensioner at the same time.

You'll likely only be changing it the once, so why not do it now and have peace of mind?

If you're doing it yourself, bear in mind that it's almost impossible on the VVT engine without the correct timing tools. If you take it to an independent, make sure they have the right kit for the job.