2009 KIA Picanto 1.0L Petrol · FV59 FSF

A 2009 Kia Picanto with this MOT profile presents a clear pattern of corrosion-related deterioration now becoming the dominant mechanical concern, with the most recent test on 16 December 2025 producing both a fail and a pass under the same reference. The fail was driven by an offside stop lamp not working, while the pass carried forward advisories for an oil leak from the engine, a corroded offside rear brake pipe, and general corrosion to the rear axle. Looking back through the record, the trajectory is one of gradual but accumulating degradation: a clean pass in December 2020 gave way to repeated brake disc pitting advisories from 2021 onward, an oil leak advisory from 2023, and progressively more involved corrosion notes covering suspension components, mounting areas, rear inner sills, and floor sections. The December 2024 test escalated this with a failure for an insecure rear exhaust, a dangerous nearside front tyre below the legal tread limit, and an insufficient windscreen washer. Although the vehicle has consistently passed at each opportunity, the volume and recurrence of advisories, particularly around structural corrosion and brake pipe condition, indicate a car that is moving from cosmetic ageing into a phase where component replacement is becoming necessary. At 77,950 miles over seventeen years, the recorded accumulation is roughly 4,585 miles per year, which is notably low for a vehicle of this vintage and suggests either limited use, extended periods off the road, or short journeys predominating. There are no significant gaps in the testing record, with annual tests documented from 2020 to 2025, indicating the car has remained largely in use and has not been subject to a multi-year SORN that would raise separate concerns about seized brakes, perished fuel lines, or drained batteries. The relatively gentle mileage does, however, carry its own mechanical implications: low annual mileage is often associated with short, cold-running journeys, which can accelerate oil leaks through seal hardening, encourage corrosion on underbody components due to infrequent long runs that would otherwise dry the structure out, and contribute to brake disc surface corrosion as evidenced by the repeated pitting advisories. Combined with the corrosion findings, the usage pattern suggests the underbody has had limited opportunity to be thoroughly dried and inspected. For a prospective buyer, the priorities during inspection should be the structural and brake line integrity that has been flagged repeatedly. The offside rear brake pipe was first noted as corroded in December 2024 and reappeared in December 2025, so a physical inspection underneath is warranted to assess whether it has perforated or whether it is simply surface corrosion; a leaking brake line is an immediate safety concern and would justify negotiation on replacement cost. The rear axle corrosion advisory from the most recent test, together with the suspension mounting area corrosion notes covering rear inner sills and floor sections from 2022 and 2023, warrants close attention to the vehicle jacked up on a ramp, looking for perforation around the inner sills, rear subframe mountings, and suspension arm securing points. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the rear suspension over uneven surfaces, which would indicate worn bushes or excessive play at corroded mountings, and pay attention to the handbrake, since limited reserve travel has been flagged in three consecutive tests from 2022 to 2025, suggesting either stretched cables or worn rear brake mechanism. The engine oil leak, recorded consistently from 2021 to 2025 and identified as originating from the oil filter area, is worth monitoring on a viewing by checking for fresh drips on the underside and any wet residue around the filter housing. Front brake disc condition should be assessed by feel rather than relying solely on the MOT record, as pitted discs can produce vibration or pedal pulsation under heavy braking; request that the car is driven with the brakes exercised before assessing feel. The exhaust, which failed as insecure in 2024, should be checked for movement when rocked by hand and for any blowing sounds at idle that might indicate a failed joint or perished mounting. Finally, verify that all stop lamps illuminate correctly, including the offside unit that prompted the 2025 failure, and confirm the tyres are of adequate tread depth and in good condition given the dangerous tread failure recorded in 2024.