Used car guide

2004 Kia Picanto: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Kia Picantos, from 1,344 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,344MOT tests in 2025

50%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)

3,500typical miles a year

2.4×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Kia Picantos than on all cars registered in 2004.

Coil springs2.4× usual

Kia Picanto
26.1% All 2004 cars
10.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 2.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.
Braking performance2.1× usual

Kia Picanto
14.4% All 2004 cars
6.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 2.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
Suspension arm2.7× usual

Kia Picanto
10.9% All 2004 cars
4.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 0.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Front strut mounts and bushes8.2× usual

Kia Picanto
7.4% All 2004 cars
0.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.1% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 3.7% here, against 9.5% of all 2004 cars. Flexible brake hoses: 2.8% here, against 5.7% of all 2004 cars.

By area

The share of 2004 Kia Picanto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

58% of testsRough price £120–£400

At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
Brakes

50% of testsRough price £150–£350

At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
Lights and electrics

42% of testsRough price £10–£80

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Tyres

36% of testsRough price £70–£150

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Oil and fluid leaks

18% of testsRough price £80–£600

At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.
Exhaust and emissions

15% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2023	743	Tyres 15%
2022	10,289	Tyres 26%
2021	10,840	Tyres 27%
2020	8,894	Tyres 29%
2019	17,552	Tyres 28%
2018	16,346	Tyres 29%
2017	13,264	Tyres 29%
2016	12,543	Brakes 31%
2015	13,598	Brakes 34%
2014	14,411	Brakes 37%
2013	12,591	Brakes 40%
2012	12,875	Brakes 43%
2011	10,188	Brakes 43%
2010	12,287	Brakes 39%
2009	11,804	Suspension 41%
2008	2,825	Suspension 48%
2007	2,245	Suspension 48%
2006	3,105	Suspension 53%
2005	2,781	Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Kia Picantos registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score