2004 Kia Picanto MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 50.0% of Kia Picantos first used in 2004 passed their MOT first time, against 57.8% for all cars first used in 2004. Across 5,219 Picanto first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, brakes and suspension.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Kia Picantos first used in 2004 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
50.0%
of 1,336 first tests; all cars first used in 2004: 57.8%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
5,219
first tests, 2023–2025; 1,336 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
15.2%
of 1,336 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
73,000
middle half: 53,000–93,000 miles; all cars first used in 2004: 103,500

How the 2004 Kia Picanto MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Picantos first used in 2004 against all cars first used in 2004 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Picanto figure was 7.8 points lower.

2004 PicantoAll cars first used in 2004
40%50%60%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2004, test year 2021: 53.9%All cars first used in 2004, test year 2022: 55.2%All cars first used in 2004, test year 2023: 56%All cars first used in 2004, test year 2024: 56.4%All cars first used in 2004, test year 2025: 57.8%2004 Picanto, test year 2021: 51.3%2004 Picanto, test year 2022: 49.4%2004 Picanto, test year 2023: 52.1%2004 Picanto, test year 2024: 53.5%2004 Picanto, test year 2025: 50%57.8%50%
View this chart as a table
Test year2004 PicantoAll cars first used 2004Picanto first tests
202151.3%53.9%3,141
202249.4%55.2%2,563
202352.1%56.0%2,157
202453.5%56.4%1,726
202550.0%57.8%1,336

Common 2004 Kia Picanto MOT failures

Share of the 2,503 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment44.9%
Brakes41.9%
Suspension37.7%
Visibility22.9%
Noise, emissions and leaks20.8%
Body, chassis, structure18.1%
Tyres17.5%
Steering12.9%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Position lamp: not working16.0%400
Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements15.6%390
Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength11.3%282
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively10.9%273
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect9.3%233

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2004 Kia Picanto before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
  3. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.

Common 2004 Kia Picanto MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2004 Picantos, as a share of all 5,219 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Coil spring: corroded23.5%1,227
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge15.3%801
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing15.2%795
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened15.0%782
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive14.6%760

Questions about the 2004 Kia Picanto MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2004 Kia Picanto?

In 2025, 50.0% of Picantos first used in 2004 passed their MOT first time, against 57.8% for all cars first used in 2004. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2004 Picanto most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 44.9% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (41.9%) and suspension (37.7%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (16.0%).

How often does a 2004 Kia Picanto fail its MOT?

In 2025, 50.0% of first tests on Picantos first used in 2004 did not pass first time: 43.2% failed, and a further 6.8% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 2,503 of 5,219 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2004 Kia Picanto MOT advisories?

“Coil spring: corroded” (on 23.5% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (15.3%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (15.2%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (15.0%) and “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (14.6%).

Is a 2004 Kia Picanto reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 51.3% in 2021 to 50.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2004

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2004 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2004 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2004 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2004 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2004 Volkswagen Polo MOT statistics

How the 2004 Kia Picanto MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2004 Picanto” means a Kia Picanto whose date of first use falls in 2004 (53, 04 and 54 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2004, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.