2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,046 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 91.3% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.9% | 62 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.2% | 44 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 18 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.6% | 6 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 2 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.1% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 47 |
| 2 | Washers | 14 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 6 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 5 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 2 |
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 | 26.2% | 274 |
| 2 | Other defects | 4.5% | 47 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.4% | 25 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.1% | 22 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.6% | 17 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.8% | 8 |
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 | 947 | 8.0% |
| 30-60k | 93 | 14.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 504 | 9.1% |
| 2025 | 519 | 8.3% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Picanto X-Line S Auto
Before buying a 2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 5.9% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (5.9% 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.
- Visibility (4.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Autos pass their MOT?
91.3% of the 1,046 2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto?
Tyres, recorded in 5.9% of tests, followed by visibility (4.2%).
Does the 2021 Picanto X-Line S Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.0% in the 0-30k band to 14.0% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,046 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.