Used car guide

2009 Kia Picanto: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Kia Picantos, from 11,801 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

11,801MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
4,000typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Kia Picantos than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.7× usual
    Kia Picanto
    19.9% All 2009 cars
    7.5%
    Rough price £100–£400

    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.

  • Exhaust system2× usual
    Kia Picanto
    16.8% All 2009 cars
    8.4%
    Rough price £100–£500

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

  • Braking performance2.1× usual
    Kia Picanto
    13.7% All 2009 cars
    6.4%
    Rough price £100–£350

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

  • Ball joint dust cover2.4× usual
    Kia Picanto
    10.4% All 2009 cars
    4.4%
    Rough price £80–£200

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

Better than most

Brake discs: 6.1% here, against 14.4% of all 2009 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4% here, against 11.1% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Kia Picanto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    41% 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
    40% 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
    34% 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
    29% 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
    18% 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
    15% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20226,657Tyres 25%
20218,414Tyres 25%
20207,883Tyres 29%
201916,297Tyres 29%
201816,345Tyres 29%
201713,261Tyres 29%
201612,541Brakes 31%
201513,596Brakes 34%
201414,407Brakes 37%
201312,590Brakes 40%
201212,875Brakes 43%
201110,186Brakes 43%
201012,280Brakes 39%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Kia Picantos registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score