Used car guide

2016 Kia Picanto: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Kia Picantos, from 12,541 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

12,541MOT tests in 2025
75%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
4,600typical miles a year
4.1×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Kia Picantos than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Rigid brake pipes4.1× usual
    Kia Picanto
    7.7% All 2016 cars
    1.9%
    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.

  • Ball joint2.3× usual
    Kia Picanto
    6.3% All 2016 cars
    2.8%
    Rough price £80–£200

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

  • Braking performance2.2× usual
    Kia Picanto
    5.4% All 2016 cars
    2.5%
    Rough price £100–£350

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

  • Handbrake performance9× usual
    Kia Picanto
    2.7% All 2016 cars
    0.3%
    Rough price £80–£300

    At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 0.7% here, against 4.3% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 Kia Picanto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    31% 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
    30% 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.

  • Suspension
    15% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Lights and electrics
    8% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    2% 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?

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

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20226,657Tyres 25%
20218,414Tyres 25%
20207,883Tyres 29%
201916,297Tyres 29%
201816,345Tyres 29%
201713,261Tyres 29%
201513,596Brakes 34%
201414,407Brakes 37%
201312,590Brakes 40%
201212,875Brakes 43%
201110,186Brakes 43%
201012,280Brakes 39%
200911,801Suspension 41%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Kia Picantos registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score