Used car guide · 2004–2026

Kia Picanto common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Kia Picanto, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 548,738 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

548,738MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
233,215on the UK register
6known faults across all years
2014best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004

Generation guides: Kia Picanto Mk2 (2011–2017) · Kia Picanto Mk3 (2017–2024)

What usually goes wrong with a Kia Picanto?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Gearbox and clutch faults

    Cars registered 2018–2025 · All engines

    The only area of concern in What Car?'s survey: 6% of cars up to five years old had a gearbox or clutch fault.

    At the viewing: Change through every gear and check the clutch bites cleanly without slipping.

    Source: What Car?: used Kia Picanto (2017 on) reliability

  • Hard starting from cold

    Cars registered 2011–2017 · All engines

    The engine can be reluctant to start in cold weather. Kia released a software update, but some owners say it didn’t cure it.

    At the viewing: See it started from cold, and ask whether the dealer software update was done.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Kia Picanto buying guide (2011-2017, Mk2)

  • Handbrake recall (built March 2011 to March 2012)

    Cars registered 2011–2012 · Built March 2011 to March 2012

    The handbrake mechanism on early cars could corrode and fail to hold the car. Kia fitted new calipers and seals under a recall.

    At the viewing: Test the handbrake on a slope and ask for proof the recall was done.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Kia Picanto buying guide (2011-2017, Mk2)

  • Air con niggles and door rattles

    Cars registered 2018–2025 · All engines

    Some owners report minor air con problems, and early cars can rattle from the doors.

    At the viewing: Check the air con blows cold and listen for rattles.

    Source: What Car?: used Kia Picanto (2017 on) reliability

  • Warning chime recall

    Cars registered 2018–2025 · Some cars

    On some cars the warning chime didn't sound when the rear fog light was left on and the driver's door was opened.

    At the viewing: Ask a Kia dealer whether the recall was done.

    Source: What Car?: used Kia Picanto (2017 on) reliability

  • Bluetooth that won’t connect

    Cars registered 2011–2017 · All engines

    The Bluetooth can fail to connect, and the standard stereo sounds poor.

    At the viewing: Pair your phone and play some audio.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Kia Picanto buying guide (2011-2017, Mk2)

Common Kia Picanto MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Braking performance

    up to 3.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 3.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Seat belts

    up to 6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

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

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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.

  • Exhaust system

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    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.

  • Wipers

    up to 1.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

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

Kia Picanto MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2014 Kia Picanto did best (72% passed first time, 2 points above all 2014 cars) and the 2006 did worst (49%, 7 points below all 2006 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202391%92% -1755
202288%89% -110,798
202187%87% +021,458
202088%87% +126,395
201985%85% +051,835
201884%83% +148,302
201781%80% +139,341
201676%77% -137,220
201575%74% +140,441
201472%70% +243,094
201366%67% -137,914
201262%64% -239,157
201158%62% -431,296
201057%60% -338,459
200955%59% -437,637
200853%57% -49,363
200752%57% -57,964
200649%56% -711,680
200550%57% -710,422
200452%57% -55,207

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Kia Picanto

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the Kia Picanto as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the Kia Picanto as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the seat belts? (Flagged at MOT 6× as often on the Kia Picanto as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Kia Picanto?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score