Used car guide

2010 Kia Picanto: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Kia Picantos, from 12,280 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

12,280MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
4,300typical miles a year
2.9×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Kia Picantos than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.9× usual
    Kia Picanto
    19.4% All 2010 cars
    6.8%
    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 system2.1× usual
    Kia Picanto
    15.7% All 2010 cars
    7.6%
    Rough price £100–£500

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

  • Ball joint dust cover2.5× usual
    Kia Picanto
    9.9% All 2010 cars
    3.9%
    Rough price £80–£200

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

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.1× usual
    Kia Picanto
    10.4% All 2010 cars
    5%
    Rough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Braking performance1.8× usual
    Kia Picanto
    10.9% All 2010 cars
    5.9%
    Rough price £100–£350

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

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 3.7% here, against 11% of all 2010 cars. Brake pads: 4.1% here, against 9.1% of all 2010 cars.

By area

The share of 2010 Kia Picanto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    39% 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.

  • Suspension
    38% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    28% 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
    17% 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%
200911,801Suspension 41%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 Kia Picantos registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score