2017 Kia Picanto — MOT failures & pass rate
74,310 MOT tests on the 2017 Kia Picanto are in this dataset, and 88.7% of them passed. City cars of a similar age fail at 11.7%, so the 2017 Picanto sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in visibility, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (5.0%) and tyres (4.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, washers and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 2,900 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.8% in the 0-30k band and 25.0% in the 120-150k band, a 17.2-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 7.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 5.0% | 3,719 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.3% | 3,187 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.3% | 2,439 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.4% | 1,744 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.3% | 1,725 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.8% | 573 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 2,900 |
| 2 | Washers | 1,630 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,220 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 1,098 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 1,047 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 944 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 24.3% | 18,050 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.5% | 9,998 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.2% | 3,848 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.6% | 2,644 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 2,064 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.0% | 734 |
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 | 40,401 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 27,958 | 14.6% |
| 60-90k | 5,121 | 19.5% |
| 90-120k | 688 | 22.1% |
| 120-150k | 100 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,401 | 7.9% |
| 2022 | 14,679 | 9.8% |
| 2023 | 14,976 | 11.5% |
| 2024 | 15,049 | 13.6% |
| 2025 | 15,205 | 13.6% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Picanto
On a 2017 Picanto, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (5.0% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (4.3% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (3.3% 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.
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 2017 Kia Picantos pass their MOT?
88.7% of the 74,310 2017 Kia Picanto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Kia Picanto?
Visibility, recorded in 5.0% of tests, followed by tyres (4.3%).
Does the 2017 Picanto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 74,310 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.