Used car guide

2005 Kia Picanto: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Kia Picantos, from 2,781 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,781MOT tests in 2025

49%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)

3,600typical miles a year

2.3×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Kia Picantos than on all cars registered in 2005.

Coil springs2.3× usual

Kia Picanto
24.3% All 2005 cars
10.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 2.6% of all 2005 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 performance2.2× usual

Kia Picanto
15.4% All 2005 cars
6.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 2.7% of all 2005 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.
Front strut mounts and bushes10.2× usual

Kia Picanto
8.2% All 2005 cars
0.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.1% of all 2005 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.
Track rod ends1.8× usual

Kia Picanto
11.2% All 2005 cars
6.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 2.6% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 5% here, against 10.7% of all 2005 cars. Flexible brake hoses: 2.7% here, against 5.8% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 Kia Picanto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

55% 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

49% 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

40% 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

39% 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

20% 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

14% 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.

Looking at a Kia Picanto?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

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%
2004	1,344	Suspension 58%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Kia Picantos registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score