Used car guide

2006 Kia Picanto: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Kia Picantos, from 3,105 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,105MOT tests in 2025
48%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
3,700typical miles a year
3.7×the usual rate for braking performance

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Kia Picantos than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Braking performance3.7× usual
    Kia Picanto
    24.2% All 2006 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9%, against 2.6% of all 2006 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 bushes9.6× usual
    Kia Picanto
    7.7% All 2006 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.1% of all 2006 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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.1× usual
    Kia Picanto
    11.5% All 2006 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.8%, against 2.6% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

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

  • Ball joint dust cover2.2× usual
    Kia Picanto
    10.7% All 2006 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4.2% here, against 11.1% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 Kia Picanto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    53% 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
    52% 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
    39% 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
    35% 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
    16% 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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023743Tyres 15%
202210,289Tyres 26%
202110,840Tyres 27%
20208,894Tyres 29%
201917,552Tyres 28%
201816,346Tyres 29%
201713,264Tyres 29%
201612,543Brakes 31%
201513,598Brakes 34%
201414,411Brakes 37%
201312,591Brakes 40%
201212,875Brakes 43%
201110,188Brakes 43%
201012,287Brakes 39%
200911,804Suspension 41%
20082,825Suspension 48%
20072,245Suspension 48%
20052,781Suspension 55%
20041,344Suspension 58%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Kia Picantos registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score