City car · 2004–2021 cars

Kia Picanto reliability

The Kia Picanto fails 29.3% of first MOT tests, 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 548,621 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Well below averageReliability score 26/100#33 of 43 city cars

Checking a Kia Picanto before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 29.3%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 27% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 548,621; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 5,300; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Kia Picanto is a below-average city car for MOT reliability. Across 548,621 MOT tests from 2022 to 2024, 29.3% of first-time tests failed, against 28.4% for all cars. It ranks 33 of 43 city car models, with 27% more fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Brakes are the weakest area, with 117% more fails than cars of the same age and mileage.

A weaker record doesn't rule out a good buy if you check the right things. Start with the brakes, especially the parking brake. Parking brake efficiency below minimum is the most common MOT failure at 3.39% of tests, and a parking brake inoperative on one side appears in 2.05%. Also check the wipers clear the windscreen (3.26% of tests) and every position lamp works (3.25%).

MOT fail rate by age

How the Kia Picanto ages

Each point is the share of Kia Picantos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Kia PicantoAll cars

Kia Picanto first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Kia Picanto	All cars
3	11.6%	12.3%
4	14%	14.1%
5	17%	16.4%
6	19.5%	19.1%
7	21.6%	22.1%
8	25.5%	25.5%
9	30%	28.8%
10	34%	31.8%
11	38.6%	34.6%
12	41.3%	37.3%
13	43.9%	39.5%
14	45.1%	41.1%
15	47.3%	42.3%
16	49.1%	42.9%
17	49.7%	43.4%
18	50.3%	43.5%
19	48.7%	43.4%
20	47.5%	42.8%

By year

The best and worst Kia Picanto years

2020 cars come out best and 2011 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Kia Picanto MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 Picanto	3,974	12.2%	26% more fails	15,568
2020 Picanto	15,444	11.4%	14% more fails	17,495
2019 Picanto	44,487	14.1%	29% more fails	19,148
2018 Picanto	53,364	14.3%	16% more fails	23,088
2017 Picanto	42,776	17.4%	21% more fails	28,097
2016 Picanto	40,809	21.9%	32% more fails	32,575
2015 Picanto	44,028	22.9%	19% more fails	38,315
2014 Picanto	47,320	26.2%	18% more fails	44,293
2013 Picanto	41,238	32.7%	29% more fails	50,549
2012 Picanto	43,251	36.6%	28% more fails	57,240
2011 Picanto	33,857	41.2%	34% more fails	59,418
2010 Picanto	41,440	42.3%	31% more fails	59,266
2009 Picanto	40,959	44.1%	32% more fails	58,954
2008 Picanto	10,908	45.4%	24% more fails	67,486
2007 Picanto	9,706	47.1%	26% more fails	67,748
2006 Picanto	14,783	50.4%	31% more fails	70,043
2005 Picanto	13,420	49.9%	27% more fails	72,705
2004 Picanto	6,857	48.4%	22% more fails	73,102

Common problems

What fails most on a Kia Picanto

Its weak spot is brakes: 117% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Brakes10.5%117% above avg
Lights and electrics9.1%10% above avg
Suspension7.2%10% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.5%57% above avg
Tyres6.5%29% above avg
Body, chassis and structure3.5%55% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.1%52% above avg
Steering1.4%11% above avg
Seat belts and airbags0.9%48% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.39% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.26% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
3
Position lamp not working 3.25% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
4
Parking brake inoperative on one side 2.05% of tests
The parking brake does not work on one side, so the car may not hold on a slope and needs repair.
5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.9% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
6
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.66% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
7
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.54% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
8
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 1.46% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Kia Picanto's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre slightly damaged or cracking12%
Tyre worn close to legal limit11.58%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy7.52%
Brake disc pitted or scored6.15%
Brake pads wearing thin5.18%
Engine oil leak, not excessive3.5%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Kia Picanto

1
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
3
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
4
Parking brake inoperative on one side
The parking brake does not work on one side, so the car may not hold on a slope and needs repair.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Kia Picanto covers about 5,300 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol100%
Diesel0%
LPG0%
Hybrid0%

Most common colours

White, Silver, Black, Red, Blue

Average engine size: 1.1 litres.

Compare

How the Kia Picanto compares with its rivals

Kia Picanto against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Volkswagen up!	18.8%	7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota Aygo	24.5%	about average for its age
Peugeot 107	35.9%	8% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Citroën C1	29.7%	9% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Hyundai i10	26.2%	19% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Ka	32.8%	23% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Kia Picanto	29.3%	27% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Kia models.

Questions

Kia Picanto questions, answered

Is the Kia Picanto reliable?

On MOT results, the Kia Picanto is well below average: it fails 29.3% of first MOT tests, 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 33 of 43 city car models in our index.

What fails most on a Kia Picanto MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Kia Picanto are parking brake efficiency below minimum (3.39% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.26% of tests), position lamp not working (3.25% of tests). By area, brakes fails 10.5% of its tests.

Which Kia Picanto year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (14% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2011 cars do worst (34% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Kia Picanto do a year?

A typical Kia Picanto covers about 5,300 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Kia Picanto before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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