Kia Picanto common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Kia Picanto at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 178,973 UK MOT tests of the Kia Picanto in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is daytime running lamps (not working): recorded on 6% of tests of 2018–2020 cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km), 60× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: tyres (a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure) (16×); parking brake performance (inoperative on one side) (14×); rbt (sp) (efficiency below requirements) (11×). The most common reasons a Kia Picanto fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); rbt (sp) (efficiency below requirements); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Kia Picanto
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Kia Picanto than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daytime running lamps: not working | MOT fail | 2018–2020 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 6% | 0.1% | 60× | 496 |
| Tyres (condition): has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | MOT fail | 2020–2022 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.2% | 0.2% | 16× | 2,031 |
| Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side | MOT fail | 2014–2016 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 4.1% | 0.3% | 14× | 5,237 |
| Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements | MOT fail | 2015–2017 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3.4% | 0.3% | 11× | 9,563 |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | Advisory | 2004–2006 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 6% | 0.5% | 12× | 1,140 |
| Seat belts and airbags (condition): webbing slightly damaged or frayed | Advisory | 2012–2014 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 6.7% | 0.5% | 13× | 356 |
| Exhaust system: mounting defective | Advisory | 2008–2010 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 5.6% | 0.9% | 6.2× | 5,745 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | Advisory | 2014–2016 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 7.4% | 1.3% | 5.7× | 11,617 |
Kia Picanto by mileage (2018–2020 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 23,633 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (10%) | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.5%, 1.9×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 15,525 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (15%) | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively (4.7%, 2.1×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3,029 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (14%) | Daytime running lamps: not working (3.7%, 37×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 496 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (20%) | Daytime running lamps: not working (6%, 60×) |
Kia Picanto by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2,157 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (11×) |
| 2005 | 4,192 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (12×) |
| 2006 | 4,713 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (12×) |
| 2007 | 3,083 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (9.3×) |
| 2008 | 3,411 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (6.2×) |
| 2009 | 13,417 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (6.2×) |
| 2010 | 13,447 | Seat belts and airbags (condition): webbing slightly damaged or frayed at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (11×) |
| 2011 | 10,838 | Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (5.8×) |
| 2012 | 13,430 | Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (10×) |
| 2013 | 12,882 | Seat belts and airbags (condition): webbing slightly damaged or frayed at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (13×) |
| 2014 | 14,630 | Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (9.4×) |
| 2015 | 13,626 | Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (14×) |
| 2016 | 12,612 | Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (11×) |
| 2017 | 13,327 | Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (9.5×) |
| 2018 | 16,389 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2.2×) |
| 2019 | 17,511 | Daytime running lamps: not working at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (60×) |
| 2020 | 8,937 | Daytime running lamps: not working at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (46×) |
| 2021 | 352 | Tyres (condition): has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (16×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Kia Picanto?
In 178,973 UK MOT tests of the Kia Picanto in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is daytime running lamps (not working): recorded on 6% of tests of 2018–2020 cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km), 60× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: tyres (a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure) (16×); parking brake performance (inoperative on one side) (14×); rbt (sp) (efficiency below requirements) (11×). The most common reasons a Kia Picanto fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); rbt (sp) (efficiency below requirements); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively).
Why do Kia Picantos fail the MOT?
Across 178,973 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Kia Picanto were position lamp (not working) (7.9% of tests); rbt (sp) (efficiency below requirements) (5.8% of tests); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (3.5% of tests).
At what mileage do Kia Picanto problems start?
The clearest Kia Picanto-specific issue, daytime running lamps (not working), peaks against other cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) on 2018–2020 cars (6% of tests vs 0.1% for all cars that age).
Where does this Kia Picanto data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 178,973 tests of the Kia Picanto. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.