2020 Kia Picanto Zest — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,720 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Kia Picanto Zest, the most common recorded failure areas were visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 93.8% was above the average for cars of a similar age (90.5%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 4.5% | 78 |
| 2 | Tyres | 1.6% | 27 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 21 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.0% | 17 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.9% | 15 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.5% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 76 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 18 |
| 3 | Washers | 18 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 12 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 9 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 9 |
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 | 16.9% | 290 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.2% | 107 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.3% | 91 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.2% | 72 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.3% | 39 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.2% | 20 |
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 | 1,441 | 5.3% |
| 30-60k | 258 | 11.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 566 | 4.4% |
| 2024 | 569 | 7.0% |
| 2025 | 577 | 7.3% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Picanto Zest
Before buying a 2020 Kia Picanto Zest, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Visibility accounted for 4.5% of tests for this year.
- Visibility (4.5% 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 (1.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.2% 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 2020 Kia Picanto Zests pass their MOT?
93.8% of the 1,720 2020 Kia Picanto Zest MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Kia Picanto Zest?
Visibility, recorded in 4.5% of tests, followed by tyres (1.6%).
Does the 2020 Picanto Zest get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.3% in the 0-30k band to 11.2% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,720 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.