2006 Kia Picanto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 31,723 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Kia Picanto, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 68.4% was below the average for city cars of a similar age (70.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 43.1% in the 150k+ group versus 19.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 19.1% | 6,076 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 4,588 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.7% | 4,018 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.1% | 2,574 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.2% | 2,280 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 2,243 |
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) | 3,136 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 3,018 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 2,319 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 2,269 |
| 5 | Wipers | 1,628 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 1,301 |
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 | 39.0% | 12,359 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.9% | 10,442 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.6% | 9,376 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 4,791 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.0% | 4,446 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.3% | 4,224 |
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 | 1,670 | 19.3% |
| 30-60k | 9,396 | 27.5% |
| 60-90k | 13,186 | 33.2% |
| 90-120k | 6,158 | 36.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,117 | 39.2% |
| 150k+ | 167 | 43.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,559 | 31.0% |
| 2022 | 7,333 | 31.1% |
| 2023 | 6,387 | 31.7% |
| 2024 | 5,269 | 32.4% |
| 2025 | 4,175 | 32.9% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Picanto
Before buying a 2006 Kia Picanto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 19.1% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (19.1% 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 (14.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.7% 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 2006 Kia Picantos pass their MOT?
68.4% of the 31,723 2006 Kia Picanto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Kia Picanto?
Brakes, recorded in 19.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.5%).
Does the 2006 Picanto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.3% in the 0-30k band to 43.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 31,723 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.