2009 Kia Picanto MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 54.0% of Kia Picantos first used in 2009 passed their MOT first time, against 58.3% for all cars first used in 2009. Across 37,879 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 2009 (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
54.0%
of 11,751 first tests; all cars first used in 2009: 58.3%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
37,879
first tests, 2023–2025; 11,751 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
20.5%
of 11,751 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
64,000
middle half: 44,000–86,500 miles; all cars first used in 2009: 100,000

How the 2009 Kia Picanto MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Picantos first used in 2009 against all cars first used in 2009 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Picanto figure was 4.3 points lower.

2009 PicantoAll cars first used in 2009
50%60%70%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2009, test year 2021: 60.5%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2022: 60.1%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2023: 59%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2024: 58.4%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2025: 58.3%2009 Picanto, test year 2021: 57.7%2009 Picanto, test year 2022: 57%2009 Picanto, test year 2023: 56.1%2009 Picanto, test year 2024: 55.3%2009 Picanto, test year 2025: 54%58.3%54%
View this chart as a table
Test year2009 PicantoAll cars first used 2009Picanto first tests
202157.7%60.5%14,193
202257.0%60.1%13,779
202356.1%59.0%13,422
202455.3%58.4%12,706
202554.0%58.3%11,751

Common 2009 Kia Picanto MOT failures

Share of the 16,979 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%.

Brakes37.8%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment37.0%
Suspension31.4%
Body, chassis, structure22.6%
Visibility20.2%
Tyres18.1%
Noise, emissions and leaks16.5%
Steering9.1%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Position lamp: not working16.8%2,852
Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements12.9%2,187
Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt10.6%1,806
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively9.6%1,637
Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases8.9%1,512

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

What to check on a 2009 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 2009 Kia Picanto MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2009 Picantos, as a share of all 37,879 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material17.0%6,426
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge15.6%5,891
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing14.9%5,659
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive12.3%4,641
Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases6.6%2,490

Questions about the 2009 Kia Picanto MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2009 Kia Picanto?

In 2025, 54.0% of Picantos first used in 2009 passed their MOT first time, against 58.3% for all cars first used in 2009. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2009 Picanto most often fail its MOT on?

Brakes (in 37.8% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (37.0%) and suspension (31.4%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (16.8%).

How often does a 2009 Kia Picanto fail its MOT?

In 2025, 46.0% of first tests on Picantos first used in 2009 did not pass first time: 38.7% failed, and a further 7.3% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 16,979 of 37,879 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2009 Kia Picanto MOT advisories?

“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 17.0% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (15.6%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (14.9%), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (12.3%) and “Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases” (6.6%).

Is a 2009 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 57.7% in 2021 to 54.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2009

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

2009 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2009 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2009 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2009 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2009 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics

How the 2009 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. “2009 Picanto” means a Kia Picanto whose date of first use falls in 2009 (58, 09 and 59 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 2009, 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.