2012 Kia Picanto: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Kia Picanto?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Kia Picanto than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Rigid brake pipes3.7× usual
  Kia Picanto

  18.6% All 2012 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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 belts6× usual
  Kia Picanto

  6.6% All 2012 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

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

• Braking performance2× usual
  Kia Picanto

  9.4% All 2012 cars

  4.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)4.6× usual
  Kia Picanto

  4.1% All 2012 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 0.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Common 2012 Kia Picanto MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Kia Picanto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  41% 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
  32% 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
  27% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  27% 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
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  8% 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.

Known faults on the 2012 Kia Picanto

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Hard starting from cold

  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)

  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)

• Bluetooth that won’t connect

  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)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 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 rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2012 Kia Picanto as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the seat belts? (Flagged at MOT 6× as often on the 2012 Kia Picanto as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2012 Kia Picanto as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?