2005 Kia Picanto MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 49.4% of Kia Picantos first used in 2005 passed their MOT first time, against 57.6% for all cars first used in 2005. Across 10,422 Picanto first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were brakes, lamps and electrical equipment and suspension.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Kia Picantos first used in 2005 (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
49.4%
of 2,758 first tests; all cars first used in 2005: 57.6%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
10,422
first tests, 2023–2025; 2,758 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
14.5%
of 2,758 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
71,500
middle half: 52,500–91,000 miles; all cars first used in 2005: 105,500

How the 2005 Kia Picanto MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Picantos first used in 2005 against all cars first used in 2005 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Picanto figure was 8.2 points lower.

2005 PicantoAll cars first used in 2005
40%50%60%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2005, test year 2021: 54.6%All cars first used in 2005, test year 2022: 55.7%All cars first used in 2005, test year 2023: 56.3%All cars first used in 2005, test year 2024: 56.5%All cars first used in 2005, test year 2025: 57.6%2005 Picanto, test year 2021: 51.3%2005 Picanto, test year 2022: 50.7%2005 Picanto, test year 2023: 50.8%2005 Picanto, test year 2024: 49.7%2005 Picanto, test year 2025: 49.4%57.6%49.4%
View this chart as a table
Test year2005 PicantoAll cars first used 2005Picanto first tests
202151.3%54.6%5,750
202250.7%55.7%4,933
202350.8%56.3%4,197
202449.7%56.5%3,467
202549.4%57.6%2,758

Common 2005 Kia Picanto MOT failures

Share of the 5,208 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%.

Brakes45.6%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment43.7%
Suspension34.1%
Visibility22.2%
Noise, emissions and leaks20.1%
Body, chassis, structure19.2%
Tyres18.5%
Steering11.0%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Position lamp: not working18.2%950
Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements18.1%944
Stop lamp: not working10.5%547
Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength9.6%499
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively9.4%490

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

What to check on a 2005 Kia Picanto before buying

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

  1. 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.
  2. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  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 2005 Kia Picanto MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2005 Picantos, as a share of all 10,422 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Coil spring: corroded22.4%2,333
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive16.9%1,759
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material16.6%1,734
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge16.2%1,685
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing15.5%1,616

Questions about the 2005 Kia Picanto MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2005 Kia Picanto?

In 2025, 49.4% of Picantos first used in 2005 passed their MOT first time, against 57.6% for all cars first used in 2005. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2005 Picanto most often fail its MOT on?

Brakes (in 45.6% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (43.7%) and suspension (34.1%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (18.2%).

How often does a 2005 Kia Picanto fail its MOT?

In 2025, 50.6% of first tests on Picantos first used in 2005 did not pass first time: 43.3% failed, and a further 7.4% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 5,208 of 10,422 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2005 Kia Picanto MOT advisories?

“Coil spring: corroded” (on 22.4% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (16.9%), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (16.6%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (16.2%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (15.5%).

Is a 2005 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 49.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2005

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

2005 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2005 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2005 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2005 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2005 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics

How the 2005 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. “2005 Picanto” means a Kia Picanto whose date of first use falls in 2005 (54, 05 and 55 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 2005, 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.