Hi, I have a 2019 Panda and lately when I go over potholes it feels like the car bounces more than usual. It used to settle right away, now it takes longer. How many km should shock absorbers last? Do I need to take it to the mechanic right away or can I wait a bit longer?
If the car bounces and takes a while to settle down after hitting a pothole, the shock absorbers are failing and you should replace them soon. It's not an absolute emergency if you drive carefully, but putting it off too long makes the car harder to control, wears out the suspension faster, and can eventually damage other parts too (bearings, springs). With a 2019 Panda and that kind of behavior, it's not about specific mileage but actual wear.
Here's a trick most people don't know about: before you go to the mechanic, do a really simple test. Park the car on flat ground, put your hands on the wheel arches (one on each side, front and back) and push down hard a couple of times. Then let go. If it bounces two or three times before settling, the shock absorbers are basically shot; if it goes stable right away with one or two movements it's still okay. It's not a scientific test but it gives you a realistic idea before you spend money.
Take it to the mechanic in the next few months anyway. Getting them replaced now costs less than waiting until the car becomes hard to control around curves or when braking. Shock absorbers for a Panda aren't expensive compared to other cars, and doing it while they're still partially working is way smarter than waiting until they completely fall apart.
How long does this extra "bounce" last for you? Because what you're describing is the classic sign that the shock absorbers are starting to wear out 😅 Generally they last quite a while (there's no fixed timeframe, it depends on how you drive and what roads you use), but if your Panda responds slowly when it hits potholes instead of settling right away, that means they've lost their effectiveness. It's not an emergency for tomorrow, but don't put it off too long: besides the uncomfortable ride, worn shocks wear out your tires and suspension faster. It's worth having a mechanic look at it when you can, maybe sometime next month.
That bounce that doesn't settle right away is the telltale sign, unfortunately. Shock absorbers on the Panda generally last between 80,000 and 150,000 km, but it depends on how you drive it - if you're always on rough roads they wear out faster. In your case it's worth getting them checked by a mechanic soon, don't wait: once they start giving out like that the car's handling gets worse, and it just keeps getting worse.
The symptom you're describing is exactly what happens when shock absorbers start to wear out, but it's not an emergency yet if your Panda is from 2019 and you've done fairly normal driving. What leaves me a bit puzzled about the previous answers is that they give fixed mileage ranges as if it were an exact science - in reality it depends on lots of factors, like whether you drive on rough roads or always on the highway, and also on the general maintenance of your suspension.
Here's the practical advice: take your car to a mechanic for a proper diagnosis, doesn't even have to be a Fiat dealer if it costs you too much. It's not super urgent tomorrow, but it's also not worth waiting months and damaging other suspension parts in the meantime. If you wait too long then you end up paying for worn shock absorbers front and rear at the same time, maybe other parts too.
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