2011 Kia Picanto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 70,425 MOT tests analysed for the 2011 Kia Picanto, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 74.3% was below the average for city cars of a similar age (77.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.5% in the 150k+ group versus 15.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 12.7% | 8,958 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 7,993 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.9% | 6,237 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.9% | 4,142 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.3% | 3,770 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.5% | 3,190 |
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) | 4,658 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 4,058 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,691 |
| 4 | Wipers | 2,612 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 2,470 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 2,199 |
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 | 30.8% | 21,683 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.5% | 19,368 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.6% | 11,716 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 6,560 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.2% | 5,738 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.0% | 4,947 |
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 | 7,738 | 15.8% |
| 30-60k | 27,434 | 23.6% |
| 60-90k | 24,348 | 28.8% |
| 90-120k | 8,633 | 30.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,886 | 31.4% |
| 150k+ | 363 | 35.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,428 | 23.9% |
| 2022 | 14,359 | 25.0% |
| 2023 | 14,215 | 25.7% |
| 2024 | 14,016 | 27.3% |
| 2025 | 13,407 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Picanto
Before buying a 2011 Kia Picanto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 12.7% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (12.7% 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 (11.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.9% 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 2011 Kia Picantos pass their MOT?
74.3% of the 70,425 2011 Kia Picanto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Kia Picanto?
Brakes, recorded in 12.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.3%).
Does the 2011 Picanto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.8% in the 0-30k band to 35.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 70,425 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.