Kia Picanto: what fails at MOT
230,000 MOT tests on the Kia Picanto in 2024, counted. 27.9% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
28% of Kia Picanto tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 25.2%, so the Picanto is about average for its age.
It fails most often on brakes (7.2% of tests), lights and electrics (6.2% of tests) and suspension (4.9% of tests). It fails on brakes and wipers, washers and windscreen more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17,243 | 10.9% | 10.9% | 14,100 8,800 to 21,500 |
| 2020 | 13,711 | 11.5% | 11.5% | 18,000 11,400 to 26,200 |
| 2019 | 22,471 | 14.9% | 13.4% | 21,800 13,800 to 32,100 |
| 2018 | 20,622 | 16.3% | 15.6% | 28,000 18,200 to 39,500 |
| 2017 | 16,141 | 19.2% | 18.2% | 33,000 21,800 to 46,500 |
| 2016 | 15,542 | 23.0% | 21.3% | 37,100 24,800 to 51,200 |
| 2015 | 16,645 | 25.9% | 24.4% | 43,100 28,600 to 59,800 |
| 2014 | 18,047 | 28.1% | 27.7% | 48,800 33,600 to 66,800 |
| 2013 | 15,420 | 35.0% | 30.6% | 55,300 38,000 to 73,600 |
| 2012 | 16,259 | 37.8% | 33.4% | 61,600 44,100 to 80,700 |
| 2011 | 12,022 | 43.5% | 36.1% | 63,700 44,400 to 83,600 |
| 2010 | 14,113 | 43.9% | 38.6% | 63,100 43,400 to 84,600 |
| 2009 | 13,767 | 45.4% | 39.8% | 62,800 43,000 to 85,600 |
| 2008 | 3,894 | 47.5% | 41.5% | 71,500 51,000 to 93,400 |
| 2007 | 3,147 | 47.8% | 41.5% | 70,000 50,800 to 90,100 |
| 2006 | 4,657 | 51.0% | 42.4% | 71,700 54,500 to 89,700 |
| 2005 | 4,290 | 51.1% | 42.2% | 75,100 54,900 to 94,500 |
| 2004 | 2,144 | 46.2% | 42.3% | 74,500 55,100 to 95,700 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Kia Picanto tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Picanto | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 7.2% | 4.1% | More than most |
| Lights and electrics | 6.2% | 6.7% | |
| Suspension | 4.9% | 5.4% | |
| Tyres | 4.7% | 4.1% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 4.6% | 2.9% | More than most |
| Body and structure | 2.3% | 1.9% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.2% | 1.9% | |
| Steering | 1.0% | 1.2% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.6%
- Brake test3.1%
- Wipers2.5%
- Side light2.5%
- Washers2.1%
- Footbrake1.8%
- Handbrake1.6%
- Tyre tread1.5%
- Headlamp aim1.4%
- Ball joint1.4%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements2.6%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.5%
- Side light: not working2.4%
- Handbrake: inoperative on one side1.6%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.4%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.3%
- Footbrake: excessively binding1.3%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded1.0%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing10.1%
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge10.0%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material5.8%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.0%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement3.3%
- Footbrake: binding but not excessively2.8%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.7%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
Check a Kia Picanto's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.