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Kia Picanto reliability by build year

Coverage 2004-present3 named generationscity carHatchbackPETROL
At a glance

Kia Picanto built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Kia Picantos built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Kia Picanto by number plate

Key figure

15% of MOT tests on Kia Picantos built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 18% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Kia Picantos built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Kia Picanto's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Picanto's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Picanto Mk3 (JA)

Mk3 (JA) (2017-present)

Average
PETROL

15.5% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 17,528 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Picanto Mk2 (TA)

Mk2 (TA) (2011-2016)

Average
PETROL

20.5% fail rate, built around 2016 (9 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 20.8%)

From 15,999 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Picanto Mk1 (SA)

Mk1 (SA) (2004-2010)

Poor
PETROL

35.8% fail rate, built around 2006 (19 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.4%)

From 4,411 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Kia Picanto.

See every build year for the Kia Picanto

Side-by-side

Kia Picanto generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk3 (JA) (2017-present)
Average
Average15.5%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 17,528 MOT tests at this age
Mk2 (TA) (2011-2016)
Average
Average20.5%built around 2016 (9 years old)from 15,999 MOT tests at this age
Mk1 (SA) (2004-2010)
Poor
Poor35.8%built around 2006 (19 years old)from 4,411 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Picanto, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Kia Picanto fail rate by age

This chart combines every Kia Picanto ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
11,95710.9%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
12,27312.6%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
13,09712.7%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
20,66414.2%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
17,52815.5%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
15,89118.1%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
15,99920.5%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
18,01122.0%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
18,13125.1%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
17,24727.9%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
16,55729.9%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
13,99531.4%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
19,95932.0%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
10,17332.3%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
3,74634.2%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
3,72236.1%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
4,41135.8%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
3,27435.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
60232.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 18 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Kia Picanto stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Kia models

7th of 12

7th lowest fail rate of 12 Kia models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

34th of 84

34th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against the UK average

15.5%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Kia Picantos

These issues come from 7-year-old Kia Picantos, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    18.3%
    Advisory: 5,033Fail: 446 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    12.2%
    Advisory: 2,947Fail: 237 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    10.1%
    Advisory: 2,042Fail: 292 (13% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    5.6%
    Advisory: 1,322Fail: 27 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    3.5%
    Advisory: 531Fail: 207 (28% of the times it was found)

Based on 17,528 MOT tests on 7-year-old Kia Picantos, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Kia Picantos notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres39%
  2. Other + Tyres20%
  3. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers16%
  4. Brakes + Other12%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 3,620 MOT tests on Kia Picanto cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

96%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

12 recalls in all

7 of the 12 Kia Picanto recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 6 more

Top concerns

  • Kia HECU fuse replacement
  • Kia Picanto possible under bonnet fuel leak
  • Kia Picanto EGR valve

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    No clear edge over the Kia Picanto on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    15,657 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    DS 3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.9%

    No clear edge over the Kia Picanto on these figures.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,861 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Suzuki Celerio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.5%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.5%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 2.4%, against 4.3% for the Kia Picanto.

    5,662 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Toyota Aygo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.2%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Lower fail rate: 13.0%, against 15.5% for the Kia Picanto, both built around 2018.

    25,028 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Kia Picanto across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 7th lowest fail rate of 12 Kia models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 17,528 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Kia Picanto ever sold: 237,237 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 17,528 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.