Used car guide

2008 Kia Picanto: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Kia Picantos, from 2,825 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,825MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
4,200typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Kia Picantos than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.1× usual
    Kia Picanto
    20.5% All 2008 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Braking performance2.6× usual
    Kia Picanto
    16.4% All 2008 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 2.5% of all 2008 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.

  • Track rod ends2.8× usual
    Kia Picanto
    15.3% All 2008 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 2.5% of all 2008 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.

  • Exhaust system2× usual
    Kia Picanto
    18.3% All 2008 cars
    9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 2.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.4× usual
    Kia Picanto
    11.5% All 2008 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2% of all 2008 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

Brake discs: 6.9% here, against 14.8% of all 2008 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4.4% here, against 11.3% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Kia Picanto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    48% 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
    44% 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.

  • Tyres
    37% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    20% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    17% 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.

Looking at a Kia Picanto?

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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%
20072,245Suspension 48%
20063,105Suspension 53%
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 2008 Kia Picantos registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score