Kia Picanto (2011)
2011 Kia Picanto
CarHunch analysed 11,900 real MOT records for the 2011 Kia Picanto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2011 Kia Picanto's 76.4% first-time pass rate trails the UK average of 80%, signalling below-average reliability—and more concerning, over half of these vehicles (52.9%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, making this a real buyer concern. With an average of 3.78 failures per test, owners should expect regular mechanical issues beyond minor wear items.
These Picantos are running relatively low mileage for their age at 46,565 miles on average, yet still racking up 18.3 advisories per vehicle, suggesting design or durability weaknesses rather than wear from hard use. If you're considering one, budget for ongoing repairs and have a pre-purchase inspection focus specifically on brake systems, suspension, and steering—the areas where dangerous defects most commonly occur.
What to check before buying a 2011 Kia Picanto
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 52.9% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Kia Picanto
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 11,896 | 76.5% | 3.78 |
| LPG (0%) | 2 | 85.7% | 2 |
| Diesel (0%) | 2 | 77.5% | 3.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2011 Kia Picanto vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2011 Kia Picanto vehicles fall between 30,987 and 59,261 miles.
2011 Kia Picanto — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 9,733 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 84% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2011 Kia Picanto
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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48.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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47.6%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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45.5%
Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
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36.3%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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34.7%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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34.3%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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33.5%
Parking brake efficiency below requirements
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30.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2011. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Kia Picanto?
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