Reliability report
Kia Picanto reliability and common faults
Based on 518,052 roadworthiness tests, led by the UK MOT. Each country is compared only with its own average for cars of the same age.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom · MOT
23.9%
fail rate · average 22.8%
worse than average
180,195 MOT tests (DVSA)
🇳🇱 Netherlands · APK
49.6%
with defects · average 48.9%
about average
336,054 APK inspections (RDW)
🇱🇹 Lithuania · inspection
55.0%
first-time pass · average 59.2%
worse than average
1,803 inspections
Testing regimes differ from country to country – don’t compare the figures between countries; compare each one only with its own average. MOT data: contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Weak spots
What goes wrong on the Kia Picanto
How often each area fails compared with the average car of the same age (vertical line = average, 100%). Red – more often than average.
Driving controls
Plates and identification
Seat belts and airbags
Brakesconfirmed in 2 countries
Visibilityconfirmed in 2 countries
Steering
Tyres
Body and structure
Lights and electrics
Exhaust and emissions
Suspension
Wheels
Most common test failures
- 1Tyre pressure not at correct value
- 2Tyre insufficient tread
- 3Tyre(s) with tread depth of 1.6 to 2.5 mm
- 4Number plate light doesn't work (properly) / missing
- 5Low beam incorrectly adjusted
- 6Sidelight not working (properly)
- 7Windscreen wiper system gives insufficient visibility
- 8Tyre damaged
- 9Turn signal color incorrect/not allowed
- 10Excessive leakage of other fluids
- 11Seatbelt damaged
- 12Steering gear dust cover damaged, not sealing
Results by vehicle age
| Age | 🇬🇧 MOT fail rate | 🇳🇱 APK defects |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 years | 9.2% avg 9.9% | 28.5% avg 27.0% |
| 6–8 years | 13.1% avg 15.3% | 36.8% avg 36.7% |
| 9–11 years | 22.8% avg 22.9% | 45.3% avg 44.4% |
| 12–15 years | 33.6% avg 30.3% | 54.4% avg 55.4% |
| 16–20 years | 40.6% avg 34.6% | 68.2% avg 64.7% |
| 21+ years | 43.0% avg 31.4% | 71.8% avg 68.4% |
🇱🇹 First-time pass rate in Lithuania – by year of manufacture
| Year | Picanto | Average for year | Inspections |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 92.0% | 83.2% | 75 |
| 2018 | 92.0% | 79.5% | 87 |
| 2017 | 80.4% | 76.6% | 97 |
| 2016 | 74.0% | 72.8% | 50 |
| 2015 | 75.3% | 71.1% | 101 |
| 2014 | 58.5% | 68.0% | 41 |
| 2013 | 63.0% | 65.9% | 119 |
| 2012 | 57.1% | 63.7% | 147 |
| 2011 | 50.8% | 61.2% | 65 |
| 2009 | 31.0% | 54.5% | 58 |
| 2008 | 46.5% | 52.4% | 99 |
| 2007 | 37.8% | 50.6% | 151 |
| 2006 | 43.4% | 48.7% | 249 |
| 2005 | 39.7% | 46.6% | 300 |
| 2004 | 38.0% | 44.5% | 100 |
Kia Picanto – FAQs
How reliable is the Kia Picanto?+
In the UK the Kia Picanto fails 23.9% of MOT tests, against an average of 22.8% for cars of the same age – worse than average. In the Netherlands, inspectors found defects at 49.6% of APK inspections (average there 48.9%) – about average. In Lithuania 55.0% pass their roadworthiness test first time (average for those years there 59.2%) – worse than average.
What goes wrong most often on the Kia Picanto?+
Compared with the average car of the same age, testers find faults more often in these areas: seat belts and airbags, brakes, visibility.
What should I check when buying a used Kia Picanto?+
The most common inspection failures: Tyre pressure not at correct value; Tyre insufficient tread; Tyre(s) with tread depth of 1.6 to 2.5 mm; Number plate light doesn't work (properly) / missing; Low beam incorrectly adjusted. Before you buy, also check the free MOT history on GOV.UK and the car’s history by reg or VIN (mileage, damage, theft).
More Kia models
Sources: anonymised MOT test results (DVSA) – contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0; APK inspection defects (RDW, open data); Lithuanian roadworthiness test results (data.gov.lt). Initial tests only; retests are not counted. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons (licence).