2007 Kia Picanto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 20,552 MOT tests analysed for the 2007 Kia Picanto, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 70.4% was below the average for city cars of a similar age (71.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 39.9% in the 150k+ group versus 17.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 17.2% | 3,524 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 2,775 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.5% | 2,358 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.6% | 1,553 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 1,454 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.2% | 1,276 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 1,869 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 1,380 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,313 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 1,301 |
| 5 | Wipers | 1,002 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 879 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 36.0% | 7,402 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.3% | 6,022 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.7% | 5,899 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.4% | 3,164 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.6% | 3,000 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.1% | 2,695 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,290 | 17.2% |
| 30-60k | 6,660 | 25.3% |
| 60-90k | 8,099 | 31.6% |
| 90-120k | 3,564 | 35.7% |
| 120-150k | 756 | 36.5% |
| 150k+ | 168 | 39.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,205 | 28.7% |
| 2022 | 4,643 | 28.9% |
| 2023 | 4,148 | 29.8% |
| 2024 | 3,571 | 30.2% |
| 2025 | 2,985 | 31.5% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Picanto
Before buying a 2007 Kia Picanto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 17.2% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (17.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (13.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2007 Kia Picantos pass their MOT?
70.4% of the 20,552 2007 Kia Picanto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Kia Picanto?
Brakes, recorded in 17.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.5%).
Does the 2007 Picanto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.2% in the 0-30k band to 39.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 20,552 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.