Model reliability

Kia Picanto reliability

The Kia Picanto fails its MOT about as often as most cars over 10 years old: 42.4% of 69,144 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.

Up to 5 years old

13.3% failed their MOT

About average

From 41,023 MOT tests of Kia Picantos this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 90% more oftenWipers4% vs 2.1%

Fails 55% more oftenWashers1.7% vs 1.1%

Fails 15× as oftenDaytime running lamps1.5% vs 0.1%Fix about £30

Advised 65% more oftenTyre condition13.9% vs 8.4%Fix about £90

6 to 10 years old

23.9% failed their MOT

About average

From 67,318 MOT tests of Kia Picantos this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 3× as oftenBrake performance5.5% vs 1.9%

Fails 44% more oftenWipers2.6% vs 1.8%

Fails 53% more oftenPosition lamps2.3% vs 1.5%Fix about £30

Fails 4× as oftenRigid brake pipes1.3% vs 0.3%Fix about £120

Advised 49% more oftenTyre condition15.3% vs 10.3%Fix about £90

Advised 4× as oftenRigid brake pipes6.5% vs 1.6%Fix about £120

Advised 2× as oftenBrake performance4.1% vs 2%

Over 10 years old

42.4% failed their MOT

About average

From 69,144 MOT tests of Kia Picantos this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 2× as oftenBrake performance12.4% vs 5.8%

Fails 34% more oftenPosition lamps7.1% vs 5.3%Fix about £30

Fails 50% more oftenWipers3.9% vs 2.6%

Fails 67% more oftenExhaust system3.5% vs 2.1%Fix about £150

Advised 86% more oftenRigid brake pipes15.4% vs 8.3%Fix about £120

Advised 37% more oftenTyre condition14.2% vs 10.4%Fix about £90

Advised 2× as oftenBrake performance9.2% vs 4.6%

Advised 51% more oftenExhaust system8% vs 5.3%Fix about £150

Safety recalls

8 DVSA recalls for the Kia Picanto

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/2026/25124 Jul 2026Built 2020–2023Kia Picanto Possible Under Bonnet Fuel Leak

Fuel leakage may occur due to contact between the fuel line and the battery tray cable. For affected cars this may lead to damage of the fuel line and the risk of a fuel leak.

Fix: Carry out a visual inspection pipe if no damage re-route and secure the pipe. If damaged replace the pipe and re-route.

Recalled models: PICANTO · 356 vehicles

R/2024/4655 Dec 2024Built 2009–2011Kia HECU Fuse Replacement

The HECU hydraulic electronic control unit of affected vehicles equipped with Anti-lock Brake Systems ABS and Electronic Stability Control ESC could leak internally and cause an electrical short over time. In extreme cases the HECU could overheat with a possible risk of an under bonnet fire.

Fix: The recall will replace the fuses in the junction box with a lower rated version.

Recalled models: Picanto SA · 8,183 vehicles

R/2024/3673 Oct 2024Built 2024Kia Picanto ISLA Upgrade

The Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) system may not function properly due to an incorrect software version of the instrument cluster and the ISLA camera coding partially missing. As a result there may be no audible or visual warning on the dashboard when the speed limit is exceeded. Without this system the vehicle may not meet EU ISA legislation.

Fix: Update the Cluster software and the front camera ISLA coding.

Recalled models: PICANTO · 1,007 vehicles

R/2024/31723 Aug 2024Built 2024Kia Picanto EGR Valve

On affected vehicles a short circuit inside the EGR (Exhaust Gas Circulation) valve may occur potentially causing the engine to stall before a warning light is displayed.

Fix: On the affected vehicles the EGR Valve will be replaced.

Recalled models: PICANTO · 30 vehicles

R/2022/12230 May 2022Built 2020–2022Some vehicles do not have an audible warning when the rear fog lamp is left switched on

The audible warning when the rear fog lamp is left switched on the ignition is switched off and the driver�s door opened on some vehicles does not function.

Fix: Update the dash cluster software to include an audible warning function.

Recalled models: PICANTO · 15,295 vehicles

R/2018/24611 Sept 2018Built 2011–2012Fuel filler neck rubber hoses may crack over time

Rubber hoses in the fuel filler neck may crack over time and could leak.

Fix: Improved quality levelling and filler hoses will be installed replacing all of the potentially defective items.

Recalled models: PICANTO · 8,998 vehicles

R/2012/1383 Dec 2012Corrosion may affect handbrake performance

As a result of water ingress and attendant corrosion in the rear calipers the parking brake may not hold the vehicle on a hill when normal force has been applied to the parking brake lever.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to either clean the axle and housing and fit new seals or where necessary replace the rear calipers.

Recalled models: PICANTO · 7,334 vehicles

R/2010/06214 Jun 2010Built 2009–2010Fuel may leak

The fuel tank filler neck may crack and allow fuel to leak.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the fuel tank filler neck.

Recalled models: PICANTO · 6,585 vehicles

Show all 8 recalls

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Kia Picanto before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.

Kia Picanto reliability

8 DVSA recalls for the Kia Picanto

Checking a Kia Picanto before you buy

Run this check on every listing, automatically.