At a Glance
The Kia Picanto has 19 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the Mk1 (2004-2011) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 1.8M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Kia Picanto common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Kia Picanto generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Kia Picanto Generations
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Most Common Kia Picanto MOT Failures
Every reason Kia Picanto vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 10.42% |
| 2 | Tyre condition | 8.88% |
| 3 | Brake performance below minimum | 8.73% |
| 4 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 7.69% |
| 5 | Number plate lamp not working | 6.49% |
| 6 | Position lamp not working | 4.59% |
| 7 | Windscreen washer not working | 4.22% |
| 8 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 3.86% |
| 9 | Exhaust system fault | 3.44% |
| 10 | Front lamp not working | 3.17% |
| 11 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 3.15% |
| 12 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 2.96% |
| 13 | Stop lamp not working | 2.88% |
| 14 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 2.75% |
| 15 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.55% |
| 16 | Ball joint dust cover split | 2.48% |
| 17 | Driveshaft fault | 2.40% |
| 18 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 2.18% |
| 19 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.57% |
| 20 | Headlamp fault | 1.15% |
| 21 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 1.01% |
| 22 | Track rod end worn | 0.93% |
| 23 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.85% |
| 24 | Seat belt condition | 0.78% |
| 25 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.68% |
| 26 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.61% |
| 27 | Headlamp aim defect | 0.55% |
| 28 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.54% |
| 29 | ABS fault | 0.52% |
| 30 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.51% |
| 31 | Parking brake condition | 0.39% |
| 32 | Airbag warning light on | 0.33% |
| 33 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.30% |
| 34 | Brake lever fault | 0.30% |
| 35 | Steering rack fault | 0.30% |
| 36 | Fog lamp not working | 0.29% |
| 37 | Engine oil leak | 0.28% |
| 38 | Indicator fault | 0.27% |
| 39 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.24% |
| 40 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.24% |
| 41 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.23% |
| 42 | Brake caliper fault | 0.21% |
| 43 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.19% |
| 44 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.19% |
| 45 | Horn not working | 0.19% |
| 46 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.19% |
| 47 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.17% |
| 48 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.16% |
| 49 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.16% |
| 50 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.15% |
| 51 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.15% |
| 52 | Front suspension fault | 0.13% |
| 53 | Brake fluid leak | 0.12% |
| 54 | Brake pedal fault | 0.12% |
| 55 | Chassis condition | 0.12% |
| 56 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.12% |
| 57 | Rear lamp not working | 0.12% |
| 58 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.11% |
| 59 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.11% |
| 60 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.11% |
| 61 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.11% |
| 62 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.11% |
| 63 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.08% |
| 64 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.07% |
| 65 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.07% |
| 66 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.07% |
| 67 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.06% |
| 68 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.06% |
| 69 | Electrical switch fault | 0.06% |
| 70 | Propshaft fault | 0.05% |
| 71 | Steering lock fault | 0.05% |
| 72 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.04% |
| 73 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.04% |
| 74 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 75 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.03% |
| 76 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.03% |
| 77 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 78 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.03% |
| 79 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.03% |
| 80 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.03% |
| 81 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 82 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 83 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 84 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 85 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 86 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.01% |
| 88 | Driver airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 89 | Rear suspension fault | 0.01% |
| 90 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.01% |
| 91 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.01% |
| 92 | Dip switch fault | 0.01% |
| 93 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 94 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 95 | Body security fault | <0.01% |
| 96 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 97 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 98 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 99 | Drag link end worn | <0.01% |
| 100 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 101 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 102 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 103 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 105 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 106 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 107 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 110 | Steering operation fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 112 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | <0.01% |
| 113 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 114 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 115 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 119 | Steering arm worn | <0.01% |
| 120 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 122 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 123 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 126 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Steering free play excessive | <0.01% |
| 130 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 132 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 135 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 138 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 144 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 145 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 146 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 149 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 150 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 151 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 153 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 154 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 158 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 162 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 164 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 165 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 166 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 167 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 169 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 170 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 171 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 172 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 175 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 176 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 177 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 179 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 185 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 185 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Kia Picanto MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Kia Picanto, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Kia Picanto problems?
Based on analysis of 1.8M Kia Picanto MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 19 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Parking brake performance below minimum". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Kia Picanto generation has the most problems?
The Kia Picanto Mk1 (2004-2011) (2004–2011) has the highest number of identified common problems (17). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Kia Picanto?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Kia Picanto owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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