2012 · 12 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2012 Kia Picanto MOT pass rate and common faults

12,704 MOT tests in 2024. 61.6% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

96Below average
Passed first time61.6%
Failed or needed repairs38.4%
Typical mileage at test61,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 12,704 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working6.9%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements5.2%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.1%
  4. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side4.0%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.1%
    547 marked dangerous
  6. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.0%
  7. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.8%
  8. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.5%
  9. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits2.4%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Brakes26.7%
  2. Lights & electrics15.4%
  3. Suspension14.1%
  4. Tyres8.1%
  5. Emissions & leaks7.6%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.8%
  7. Body & chassis2.7%
  8. Seat belts & airbags2.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.8%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded16.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12.0%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.8%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Kia Picanto?

In 2024, 61.6% of 2012 Kia Picanto cars passed their MOT first time, across 12,704 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Kia Picanto?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2012 Kia Picanto reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 96, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).