KIA PICANTO Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 10,310 MOT tests from 815 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every KIA PICANTO has the same fault.

KIA PICANTO's have a very good reliability rating of 643/999. The score was calculated from the average of every KIA PICANTO that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the KIA PICANTO.

KIA PICANTO (example)

Check a Kia Picanto before you buy

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	881/999Excellent	76,470 miles	4,054 vehicles
N/A	N/A	847/999Excellent	73,249 miles	7,377 vehicles
N/A	N/A	812/999Excellent	79,234 miles	10,562 vehicles
N/A	N/A	654/999Good	98,168 miles	10,844 vehicles
N/A	N/A	603/999Good	114,605 miles	11,163 vehicles
N/A	N/A	563/999Above average	101,075 miles	8,879 vehicles
N/A	N/A	522/999Above average	104,221 miles	7,501 vehicles
N/A	N/A	488/999Average	115,237 miles	5,785 vehicles
N/A	N/A	416/999Average	78,091 miles	2,318 vehicles

How reliable is the KIA PICANTO?

Based on 10,310 MOT tests from 815 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

815

MOT tests

10,310

Pass rate

75.9%

Median mileage

64,412 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every KIA PICANTO has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 676 out of 999.

Common KIA PICANTO MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 2,101 advisory comments and 195 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 488 advisory comments and 52 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 485 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 358 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 277 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 206 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 174 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Lambda sensor issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 66 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lambda sensor reading or defect noted at the test.

What to inspect

Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST LAMBDA READING AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE OUTSIDE SPECIFIED LIMITS (8.2.1.2 (C))

KIA PICANTO MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2026	9	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025	8	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	14	3	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	19	24	87.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2022	17	30	86.7%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2021	22	78	82.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2020	20	75	88%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2019	55	300	87.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2018	29	202	84.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	43	359	83%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2016	47	433	83.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	51	568	80.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	76	948	78.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2013	62	891	74.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2012	102	1652	73.1%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2011	54	958	71.5%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2010	56	1060	72.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2009	46	892	74.2%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2008	17	356	70.5%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2007	7	162	69.8%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
2006	19	440	75.5%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2005	19	444	77.3%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2004	11	262	72.9%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues

What to check when buying a used KIA PICANTO

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Lambda sensor issues. Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.

Buying a KIA PICANTO?

Common problems tell you what can affect KIA PICANTOs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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