The NCT record
Kia Picanto
City car. Measured from 24,344 NCT tests in Ireland.
Reliability · measured from test data
Reliability: Above average
More reliable than most cars its age. A good choice.
NCT pass rate: 54% (About average for its age)
54 in 100 pass the NCT first time at ten years old. Mechanical faults: 0.70× the average car of the same age.
Version research
Known problems for this version
Based on published reliability sources and recall notices, not NCT data. Answer what you know and the verdict gets firmer.
Checking published reliability sources…
How it holds up with age
More than half still pass first time up to 11 years old — a 2015 or newer is the oldest we would suggest.
| Year | Age | Passes first time | Average car |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 4 | 83% | 82% |
| 2021 | 5 | 72% | 76% |
| 2020 | 6 | 76% | 75% |
| 2019 | 7 | 68% | 67% |
| 2018 | 8 | 68% | 64% |
| 2017 | 9 | 57% | 57% |
| 2016 | 10 | 56% | 53% |
| 2015 | 11 | 51% | 50% |
| 2014 | 12 | 48% | 46% |
| 2013 | 13 | 43% | 42% |
| 2012 | 14 | 36% | 38% |
| 2011 | 15 | 35% | 36% |
| 2010 | 16 | 28% | 35% |
What tends to fail on it
Chassis & body
sills, subframe, suspension mounts, wheel arches for rot
€400–800 for welding corroded structure — up to €2,000 at worst.
Brake performance
braking imbalance side to side, sticking calipers, fluid condition
€100–400 for pads, or a seized caliper — up to €680 at worst.
Braking equipment
pad and disc wear, corroded brake lines, handbrake travel
€100–400 for pads and discs — up to €680 at worst.
Emissions
DPF and EGR condition, service history, oil quality
€100–400 for a service, or a catalytic converter — up to €1,200 at worst.
What the repairs cost
€55–105 in NCT-related repairs is typical for a car this age. It is a figure for comparing models, not a quote.
Irish garage prices for the common jobs are on the repair costs page.
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Other city car options
- CHyundai i10(About average)
- CFiat 500(About average)
- BToyota Aygo(Above average)
- BFiat Panda(Above average)
- CFord Ka(About average)
- BVolkswagen up!(Above average)
Other Kia models
- DKia Sportage(Below average)
- DKia Ceed(Below average)
- CKia Rio(About average)
- EKia Sorento(Well below average)
- DKia Pro Ceed(Below average)
- CKia Venga(About average)
See every model we have measured
Where these figures come from
Test and failure figures: National Car Test statistics published by the Road Safety Authority and the National Car Testing Service, 12.5 million tests, 2015 and 2017–2025. Repair prices: Irish garage quotes and The AA Ireland servicing guides, reviewed September 2026 — see our repair cost guide. Motor tax bands: motortax.ie.
Based on published NCT results and typical Irish repair prices for this model and age. It reflects the condition of cars presented for test, not manufacturer build quality, and cannot tell you about a specific vehicle's history. Repair figures are estimates, not quotes.