Kia Picanto Mk3: best and worst years, and what goes wrong
How each year of the Kia Picanto Mk3 did at the MOTs done during 2023–2025, compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 198,884 MOT tests.
Which Kia Picanto Mk3 years are best and worst at their MOT?
First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Kia Picanto Mk3, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | Stands out | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017* | 81% | 80% +1 | Wipers 1.6× usual | 39,341 |
| 2018 | 84% | 83% +1 | Tyre condition 1.5× usual | 48,302 |
| 2019 | 85% | 85% +0 | Daytime running lights 28× usual | 51,835 |
| 2020 | 88% | 87% +1 | Suspension arm bushes and joints 3.8× usual | 26,395 |
| 2021 | 87% | 87% +0 | Tyre condition 1.8× usual | 21,458 |
| 2022 | 88% | 89% -1 | Tyre condition 2.2× usual | 10,798 |
| 2023 | 91% | 92% -1 | Tyre condition 2.1× usual | 755 |
Common Kia Picanto Mk3 MOT failures, year after year
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.
- Tyre conditionup to 2.2× usual
Stands out in 4 years: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2018.
Rough price £70–£150 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.
- Wipersup to 1.7× usual
Stands out in 4 years: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018.
Rough price £15–£60 our estimateAt the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.
- Suspension arm bushes and jointsup to 6.2× usual
Stands out in 3 years: 2022, 2021, 2020.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
- Daytime running lightsup to 28× usual
Stands out in 2 years: 2019, 2018.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
What usually goes wrong with the Kia Picanto Mk3?
From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.
Gearbox and clutch faults
The only area of concern in What Car?'s survey: 6% of cars up to five years old had a gearbox or clutch fault.
Check: Change through every gear and check the clutch bites cleanly without slipping.
Air con niggles and door rattles
Some owners report minor air con problems, and early cars can rattle from the doors.
Check: Check the air con blows cold and listen for rattles.
Warning chime recall
On some cars the warning chime didn't sound when the rear fog light was left on and the driver's door was opened.
Check: Ask a Kia dealer whether the recall was done.
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score
Looking at a Kia Picanto?
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