2016 Kia Picanto MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 74.8% of Kia Picantos first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. Across 37,782 Picanto first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were brakes, tyres and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Kia Picantos first used in 2016 (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
How the 2016 Kia Picanto MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Picantos first used in 2016 against all cars first used in 2016 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Picanto figure was in line with the all-cars figure.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2016 Picanto | All cars first used 2016 | Picanto first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 81.8% | 82.7% | 12,617 |
| 2022 | 79.6% | 80.9% | 12,657 |
| 2023 | 78.0% | 78.6% | 12,613 |
| 2024 | 76.0% | 76.7% | 12,648 |
| 2025 | 74.8% | 74.9% | 12,521 |
Common 2016 Kia Picanto MOT failures
Share of the 8,971 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%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements | 14.2% | 1,272 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 11.2% | 1,008 |
| Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side | 10.1% | 905 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 9.4% | 846 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 8.9% | 795 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Picanto in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
| Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side | Handbrake cable replacement | £105 | £75–£150 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2016 Kia Picanto before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- 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.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- 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 2016 Kia Picanto MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2016 Picantos, as a share of all 37,782 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 14.2% | 5,356 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 12.3% | 4,664 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 9.5% | 3,571 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 8.7% | 3,301 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 5.4% | 2,039 |
Questions about the 2016 Kia Picanto MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2016 Kia Picanto?
In 2025, 74.8% of Picantos first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2016 Picanto most often fail its MOT on?
Brakes (in 36.6% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), tyres (29.8%) and suspension (24.7%). The single most common item was “Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements” (14.2%).
How often does a 2016 Kia Picanto fail its MOT?
In 2025, 25.2% of first tests on Picantos first used in 2016 did not pass first time: 21.1% failed, and a further 4.1% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 8,971 of 37,782 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2016 Kia Picanto MOT advisories?
“Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (on 14.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (12.3%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (9.5%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (8.7%) and “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (5.4%).
Is a 2016 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 81.8% in 2021 to 74.8% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2016
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2016 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2016 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2016 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2016 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2016 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2016 Picanto?
The numbers above cover every Picanto first used in 2016 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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