Used car guide

2017 Kia Picanto: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Kia Picantos, from 13,261 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

13,261MOT tests in 2025
80%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
4,700typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Kia Picantos than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Ball joint1.9× usual
    Kia Picanto
    3.7% All 2017 cars
    1.9%
    Rough price £80–£200

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

  • Rigid brake pipes2.2× usual
    Kia Picanto
    2.9% All 2017 cars
    1.3%
    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.

  • Washers1.9× usual
    Kia Picanto
    3% All 2017 cars
    1.6%
    Rough price £15–£60

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

By area

The share of 2017 Kia Picanto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    29% 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.

  • Brakes
    21% 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
    9% 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20226,657Tyres 25%
20218,414Tyres 25%
20207,883Tyres 29%
201916,297Tyres 29%
201816,345Tyres 29%
201612,541Brakes 31%
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 2017 Kia Picantos registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score