2018 Kia Picanto MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 82.6% of Kia Picantos first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 49,106 Picanto first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen), lamps and electrical equipment and tyres.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Kia Picantos first used in 2018 (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 2018 Kia Picanto MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Picantos first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Picanto figure was 1.7 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 Picanto | All cars first used 2018 | Picanto first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 91.4% | 87.6% | 16,500 |
| 2022 | 88.7% | 86.3% | 16,343 |
| 2023 | 85.2% | 84.2% | 16,399 |
| 2024 | 83.4% | 82.5% | 16,350 |
| 2025 | 82.6% | 80.9% | 16,357 |
Common 2018 Kia Picanto MOT failures
Share of the 7,995 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 20.1% | 1,607 |
| Daytime running lamps: not working | 15.5% | 1,240 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 9.4% | 755 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | 8.9% | 711 |
| Fuel system pipe: insecure | 6.9% | 548 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2018 Kia Picanto before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Common 2018 Kia Picanto MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 Picantos, as a share of all 49,106 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 17.2% | 8,432 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 8.9% | 4,382 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 6.4% | 3,124 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 3.0% | 1,494 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 1.8% | 906 |
Questions about the 2018 Kia Picanto MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 Kia Picanto?
In 2025, 82.6% of Picantos first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 Picanto most often fail its MOT on?
Visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (in 33.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (29.5%) and tyres (28.5%). The single most common item was “Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively” (20.1%).
How often does a 2018 Kia Picanto fail its MOT?
In 2025, 17.4% of first tests on Picantos first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 12.6% failed, and a further 4.8% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 7,995 of 49,106 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 Kia Picanto MOT advisories?
“Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (on 17.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (8.9%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (6.4%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (3.0%) and “Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords” (1.8%).
Is a 2018 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 91.4% in 2021 to 82.6% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2018 Picanto?
The numbers above cover every Picanto first used in 2018 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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