Kia Picanto Common Faults in the UK
second generation 2011–2017 and third generation 2017–on — city car. Updated 5 November 2026.
This guide covers the second generation 2011–2017 and third generation 2017–on only. Older Picanto generations have different engines and faults — for one of those, see how to check any car for known faults.
The Kia Picanto has one DVSA recall of 10,000 or more vehicles, a missing audible rear-fog-lamp warning on cars built April 2020 to February 2022 (R/2022/122, 15,295), and a 2020–2023 under-bonnet fuel line recall (R/2026/251). What Car? ranks the 2017-on Picanto second of 20 small cars at 99.3%, says it has heard of no common problems, and names only the gearbox or clutch (6% of cars) as an area of faults. Kia UK gives a new Picanto 7 years or 100,000 miles. Picantos registered 2013–2022 pass the MOT level with all cars registered those years.
Largest DVSA recall for the Picanto: R/2022/122, 15,295 vehicles — Some vehicles do not have an audible warning when the rear fog lamp is left switched on.
82.8% of Kia Picantos registered 2013–2022 pass the MOT on the day (cars fixed during the test included), level with all cars registered in those years (82.0%). These are the cars this guide covers that were 3 to 12 years old when DVSA tested them in 2025, counted from 13,226 DVSA tests; a pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure.
Counting every registration year DVSA holds for the Kia Picanto (2005–2022), which includes generations this guide does not cover, 76.2% pass on the day (cars fixed during the test included), from 19,714 tests.
Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0), a sample of the 2025 file (about one test in ten, from nine months). Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a pass here (passed on the day); DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. Compared against cars of the same registration years, because pass rates otherwise mostly measure how old a model's surviving fleet is.
See it by registration year and by mileage ↓The asking-price figures above are the middle 80% and the median of what sellers were asking on Autoza on 11 November 2026 — not what buyers pay — for Kia Picanto cars registered from 2011. They are worked out from the cars on sale when this page is generated, and none is shown when fewer than 10 cars qualify. The road tax line comes from GOV.UK's vehicle tax rate tables (2026/27 rates). The fuel economy tile names the source it rests on or says there is no sourced figure, and the insurance tile gives no figure. We do not publish a UK price index, and no figure here should be quoted as one.
Best and worst years to buy
We name a year as a best or worst buy only where the DVSA MOT table further down does not rate it the other way.
DVSA’s MOT table rates 2018 and 2019 registrations above all cars registered those years (by 2.6 and 2.0 points), and these cars were built before the two recalls of recent builds: the fog-lamp warning recall R/2022/122 (built from 1 April 2020) and the fuel line recall R/2026/251 (from 7 September 2020). A car can be registered months after it was built, so check by registration. What Car? ranked the 2017-on Picanto second of 20 small cars at 99.3% (its page, updated 3 July 2026).
No year is named as one to avoid: DVSA’s MOT table rates no Picanto registration year from 2013 to 2022 below the average for its year, and What Car? says it has heard of no common problems on the 2017-on car. Judge a Picanto by its registration, its service history and the checks below rather than by year.
Known faults — Kia Picanto second generation 2011–2017 and third generation 2017–on
How to read this list. Items marked Safety recall are DVSA safety recalls, shown with DVSA’s own reference. Whether a particular car is affected depends on when it was built: check it by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check. Items marked Warranty terms state what the manufacturer’s UK warranty or battery guarantee covers. They are not faults and not service actions: they carry no severity and no repair cost. Everything else in this list is owner-reported: what the UK publication named on each card reports from its owner surveys and tests. Those are worth checking on a viewing, but we hold no count of how many cars have each one, other than any survey share a card itself quotes. Treat an owner-reported item as a question to ask, not a fault this car has.
Rear fog lamp — no audible warning when left on (2020–2022 builds)
- Symptoms
- DVSA wording: on some vehicles the audible warning does not work when the rear fog lamp is left switched on, the ignition is switched off and the driver’s door is opened; the dash cluster software is updated to include an audible warning. What Car? lists this as the one recall against the Picanto.
- Years affected
- Picanto built 1 April 2020 to 28 February 2022
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under recall
- What to check before buying
- Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record. What Car? advises checking with a Kia dealer that the recall has been attended to.
2011–2012 builds — fuel filler hoses and handbrake corrosion
- Symptoms
- DVSA wording: rubber hoses in the fuel filler neck may crack over time and could leak, and improved hoses are fitted (R/2018/246); and water ingress and corrosion in the rear calipers may mean the parking brake does not hold the car on a hill, so the axle and housing are cleaned and new seals fitted or the calipers replaced (R/2012/138, for which DVSA gives no build dates).
- Years affected
- Picanto built 1 February 2011 to 30 June 2012 (R/2018/246); DVSA gives no build dates for R/2012/138, so check by registration
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under recall
- What to check before buying
- Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record. On a 2011–2012 car, check the handbrake holds on a slope and ask for the dealer record for both recalls.
DVSA’s counts, recall by recall: R/2018/246 8,998; R/2012/138 7,334.
Fuel line — may contact the battery tray cable (2020–2023 builds)
- Symptoms
- DVSA wording: fuel leakage may occur due to contact between the fuel line and the battery tray cable, which may damage the fuel line and risk a fuel leak; the pipe is inspected and re-routed and secured, or replaced if damaged.
- Years affected
- Picanto built 7 September 2020 to 21 July 2023
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under recall
- What to check before buying
- Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record. On a 2020–2023 car, note any fuel smell and ask for the dealer record showing the pipe was inspected and re-routed.
2024 builds — EGR valve short circuit and speed-limit warning
- Symptoms
- DVSA wording: a short circuit inside the exhaust gas recirculation valve may occur, potentially causing the engine to stall before a warning light is displayed, and the valve is replaced (R/2024/317); and the Intelligent Speed Limit Assist system may not function properly, with no audible or visual warning when the speed limit is exceeded, fixed by updating the cluster software and the camera coding (R/2024/367).
- Years affected
- Picanto built 11 January to 14 February 2024 (R/2024/317) and 1 April to 14 May 2024 (R/2024/367)
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under recall
- What to check before buying
- Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record. Ask a Kia dealer to confirm neither applies to the VIN of a 2024 car.
DVSA’s counts, recall by recall: R/2024/367 1,007; R/2024/317 874.
Gearbox, clutch, air conditioning and door rattles (third generation)
- Symptoms
- What Car? says that in its survey a mere 6% of Picantos aged up to five years had any issue and the only area to give any grief was the gearbox or clutch, all fixed free in a day or less; some readers reported minor issues with the air-conditioning system and rattles from the doors on early models, which were rare.
- Years affected
- Third generation 2017-on
- What to check before buying
- Check the clutch bites cleanly and the gearbox changes smoothly, run the air conditioning, and listen for door rattles on the test drive.
Clutch judder — reported on the mechanically identical Hyundai i10 (second generation)
- Symptoms
- What Car? says the second-generation Picanto’s engines are well proven, with no recurring reliability concerns, and chain-driven so there are no worries over timing belts; but some owners of the mechanically identical Hyundai i10 have had clutch judder. Its page is dated 18 May 2017.
- Years affected
- Second generation 2011–2017
- What to check before buying
- On the test drive check the clutch bite point is not right at the top of the pedal’s travel and that second gear in particular engages easily.
Cover — seven-year warranty
- Symptoms
- Not a fault. Kia UK’s terms give a new car 7 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, from first registration: unlimited mileage for the first 36 months, then 100,000 miles to month 84. The warranty transfers to each new owner while it has not expired.
- Years affected
- All, counted from first registration
- What to check before buying
- The mileage cap, not the years, usually decides a used claim: from month 37 the 100,000-mile limit applies. Work out the dates from the registration on the V5C, ask for the service history, and confirm the cover with a Kia dealer using the VIN. A car registered more than seven years ago is outside the term.
Kia Picanto MOT results by year and mileage
Measured from DVSA’s own MOT test records for tests carried out in 2025, not from owner reports.
By registration year
Against all cars registered in the same year, the MOT pass rate for the Picanto was higher in 2 and level in 8 of the 10 registration years from 2013 to 2022 with enough tests to measure. The widest gap above is 2018 registrations: 87.1% against 84.5%.
Pass rate here: passed on the day, cars fixed during the test included. Rows: every Kia Picanto DVSA tested in 2025, by registration year (2013–2022), all engines and fuels together.
| Registered | Picanto | All cars that year | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20221,015 tests | 92.0% | 91.2% | +0.8 level |
| 20211,125 tests | 89.0% | 90.1% | −1.1 level |
| 2020840 tests | 88.9% | 88.7% | +0.2 level |
| 20191,715 tests | 88.9% | 86.9% | +2.0 higher |
| 20181,599 tests | 87.1% | 84.5% | +2.6 higher |
| 20171,338 tests | 83.6% | 82.2% | +1.4 level |
| 20161,303 tests | 78.9% | 79.4% | −0.5 level |
| 20151,388 tests | 78.1% | 76.7% | +1.4 level |
| 20141,531 tests | 74.9% | 74.3% | +0.6 level |
| 20131,372 tests | 70.8% | 71.9% | −1.1 level |
By mileage at the test
Against cars of the same age on the same mileage, the pass rate for the Picanto was lower in every one of the 5 mileage bands with enough tests. How other models compare at the same mileage.
Show the table by mileage (5 bands)
| Mileage | Picanto | Same age and mileage | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k3,337 tests | 91.9% | 93.2% | −1.2 lower |
| 20k–40k5,068 tests | 84.6% | 87.1% | −2.5 lower |
| 40k–60k4,577 tests | 74.5% | 79.5% | −4.9 lower |
| 60k–80k3,494 tests | 66.7% | 73.0% | −6.4 lower |
| 80k–100k2,006 tests | 59.5% | 68.4% | −8.9 lower |
Only a major or dangerous defect fails an MOT. A minor defect is recorded on the certificate and the car still passes, and an advisory is not a failure at all.
We don’t give a recall count for the Kia Picanto: whether a recall applies depends on the individual car. Check the one you are looking at by entering its registration on GOV.UK’s vehicle recall checker, and see how to check a car for known faults for the other free checks.
Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0), a sample of the 2025 file (about one test in ten, from nine months) (3,459,000 tests). Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a pass here (passed on the day); DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Odometer readings below 100 or above 400,000 miles are discarded as misreadings, and cars under three years old are excluded because no MOT is yet due. Sampled from nine months of 2025 (January, February, April, May, July, August, September, October and November). Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. Registration years shown are cars 3 to 12 years old when tested; the smallest rests on 840 tests. A gap is called level when it is under one percentage point or inside the 95% sampling margin for that number of tests. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
What fails at the MOT: DVSA 2025 results
Across 190,252 Kia Picanto MOT tests in 2025 (all versions together), these defects turned up most often. This guide covers the second generation 2011–2017 and third generation 2017–on; the figures are for every Kia Picanto tested, of any generation.
Where it stands out
The parts groups where Kia Picanto tests carried a defect more often than cars of the same age and mileage:
- Brakes. 9.6% of tests, against 4.6% for cars of the same age and mileage (2.1 times the rate).
- Seat belts and SRS. 1.1% of tests, against 0.6% for cars of the same age and mileage (1.9 times the rate).
- Visibility. 6.1% of tests, against 3.8% for cars of the same age and mileage (1.6 times the rate).
- Body, chassis and structure. 3.1% of tests, against 2.2% for cars of the same age and mileage (1.5 times the rate).
What is found most often
The five defects found most often on Kia Picanto tests, each compared with cars of the same age where it stands out:
- Brake efficiency below the required level on the roller test. On 3.4% of Kia Picanto tests, 3.3 times the rate for cars of the same age.
- Position lamp: not working. On 3.4% of Kia Picanto tests, 1.5 times the rate for cars of the same age.
- Wipers do not clear the windscreen effectively. On 3.0% of Kia Picanto tests, 1.6 times the rate for cars of the same age.
- Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side. On 2.0% of Kia Picanto tests, 4.5 times the rate for cars of the same age.
- Washers give too little washer fluid. On 2.0% of Kia Picanto tests, 1.5 times the rate for cars of the same age.
Less common, but well above the rate for cars of the same age:
- Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded. On 1.4% of Kia Picanto tests, 2.8 times the rate for cars of the same age.
The MOT checks safety and emissions items, not the engine, clutch or gearbox, so this is one measure of how each car holds up rather than a full reliability verdict. These figures describe the model, all its versions together, not this particular car.
From DVSA’s 2025 MOT results. See the full analysis
Who this car suits — and who should look elsewhere
City drivers who want a small car that ranked second of 20 in What Car?’s survey and, on a recent one, remaining manufacturer warranty to check.
Anyone assuming the seven-year warranty is still running on an older car without working it out from the registration date.
Alternatives to consider
If the Kia Picanto doesn't suit, these comparable models are worth a look in the UK market:
Kia Picanto: questions buyers ask
What are the most common faults on a used Kia Picanto in the UK?
The Kia Picanto has one DVSA recall of 10,000 or more vehicles, a missing audible rear-fog-lamp warning on cars built April 2020 to February 2022 (R/2022/122, 15,295), and a 2020–2023 under-bonnet fuel line recall (R/2026/251). What Car? ranks the 2017-on Picanto second of 20 small cars at 99.3%, says it has heard of no common problems, and names only the gearbox or clutch (6% of cars) as an area of faults. Kia UK gives a new Picanto 7 years or 100,000 miles. Picantos registered 2013–2022 pass the MOT level with all cars registered those years.
What is the best year to buy a used Kia Picanto in the UK?
Best-buy years: 2018, 2019. DVSA’s MOT table rates 2018 and 2019 registrations above all cars registered those years (by 2.6 and 2.0 points), and these cars were built before the two recalls of recent builds: the fog-lamp warning recall R/2022/122 (built from 1 April 2020) and the fuel line recall R/2026/251 (from 7 September 2020). A car can be registered months after it was built, so check by registration. What Car? ranked the 2017-on Picanto second of 20 small cars at 99.3% (its page, updated 3 July 2026).
What years of Kia Picanto should I avoid in the UK?
No specific year of the second generation 2011–2017 and third generation 2017–on Kia Picanto is generally avoided. No year is named as one to avoid: DVSA’s MOT table rates no Picanto registration year from 2013 to 2022 below the average for its year, and What Car? says it has heard of no common problems on the 2017-on car. Judge a Picanto by its registration, its service history and the checks below rather than by year.
How much does a used Kia Picanto cost in the UK in 2026?
What sellers were asking on Autoza on 11 November 2026, for Kia Picanto cars registered from 2011: £2,500–£13,495, median £7,495 — the range is the middle 80% of asking prices. Those are asking prices, not what buyers paid, and not a UK price index. Prices vary by mileage, region and trim, so compare several adverts of the same year and mileage band before negotiating.
What is the road tax (VED) on a Kia Picanto in the UK?
Annual road tax (VED): £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. A car registered from April 2017 with a list price over £40,000 when new adds the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 (£640 in all). Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
What real-world fuel economy does a Kia Picanto achieve on UK roads?
No sourced real-world figure for the Picanto, so none is printed: the official lab figure depends on the engine and on the test cycle the car was approved under, so use the figure for the exact version you are looking at.
How does a Kia Picanto compare to its rivals?
Strong alternatives in the UK: Hyundai i10, Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Polo, Vauxhall Corsa. Choose based on dealer network in your area, parts availability, and your priorities (running cost vs. cabin quality vs. badge).
Who is the Kia Picanto most suitable for?
City drivers who want a small car that ranked second of 20 in What Car?’s survey and, on a recent one, remaining manufacturer warranty to check.
Who should NOT buy a Kia Picanto?
Anyone assuming the seven-year warranty is still running on an older car without working it out from the registration date.
Are there safety recalls on the Kia Picanto?
DVSA lists 6 safety recalls for the Kia Picanto that this guide shows or names, the largest first: R/2022/122 (15,295 vehicles, built between 1 April 2020 and 28 February 2022): Some vehicles do not have an audible warning when the rear fog lamp is left switched on; R/2018/246 (8,998 vehicles, built between 1 February 2011 and 30 June 2012): Fuel filler neck rubber hoses may crack over time; R/2012/138 (7,334 vehicles): Corrosion may affect handbrake performance. Whether a particular car is affected depends on its build date and VIN, so check its registration on GOV.UK (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy.
Is the Rear fog lamp — no audible warning when left on (2020–2022 builds) on the Kia Picanto a serious problem?
Rear fog lamp — no audible warning when left on (2020–2022 builds) on the Kia Picanto is covered by DVSA safety recall R/2022/122. Symptoms: DVSA wording: on some vehicles the audible warning does not work when the rear fog lamp is left switched on, the ignition is switched off and the driver’s door is opened; the dash cluster software is updated to include an audible warning. What Car? lists this as the one recall against the Picanto. Years affected: Picanto built 1 April 2020 to 28 February 2022. Indicative repair cost in the UK: Free under recall. What to check before buying: Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record. What Car? advises checking with a Kia dealer that the recall has been attended to.
Check these next
The guide above is about the Kia Picanto as a model. These are about the car in front of you.
- Browse Kia Picanto listings on AutozaEvery one listed now.
- Check any car by its registrationFree: its MOT history, tax status and any open recall, from a number plate.
- Work out the road tax for the PicantoVehicle tax (VED) by registration date, CO2 and list price.
- Work out the monthly payment on a £7,495 PicantoThe median asking price on Autoza on 11 November 2026, not what buyers pay: change it to the car you are looking at.
- What is your Picanto worth?A price range from dealers' asking prices for comparable cars.
More checks on a Kia Picanto
A fault list tells you what goes wrong; these tell you about the car in front of you.
- Check the MOT history of a Kia PicantoIts past MOT results, advisories and mileage readings, from the number plate.
- Is this a good price?Judge one advert’s asking price against similar cars for sale on Autoza.
- Every DVSA recall for the Kia PicantoThe model’s recalls in a table, newest first, with DVSA’s own references and build dates.
Looking to buy a Kia Picanto in the UK?
Search Autoza listings filtered by year, mileage, and region. Every dealer page shows the business name, address and contact details, so you can check the business before you enquire.