2015 KIA Picanto 1.2L Petrol · GL64 RVM

The most recent DVSA examination on 26 January 2026 resulted in a pass, although it was only secured ten days after a previous failed test. The history shows an evident deterioration through 2025 and into early 2026, with two consecutive failures in January 2026 both centred on exhaust integrity, followed by a successful retest once remedial work was completed. While the vehicle has now returned to a roadworthy status, the cluster of exhaust-related majors within such a compressed timeframe suggests that the rear exhaust section was in poor condition and may have been replaced or repaired shortly before the pass. The advisory items raised at the latest test, including worn front suspension arm pins or bushes on both sides, an illuminated Tyre Pressure Monitoring System warning, and a noisy exhaust, should be treated as active maintenance items rather than background noise, as they indicate wear that has progressed to the threshold of advisability and is likely to deteriorate further. Recorded mileage of 92,897 miles across the eleven-year life of this KIA equates to approximately 8,445 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of its age and segment. The MOT history does not indicate any extended periods off the road, with annual tests recorded consistently from 2022 onwards, suggesting regular rather than sporadic use. Annual mileage at this level is generally kind to a small city car like the Picanto, and the relatively modest accumulation will have limited wear on major drivetrain components, though the braking, suspension, and exhaust systems will nevertheless have accrued noticeable age-related fatigue given the calendar duration rather than the odometer reading alone. The exhaust failures in January 2026 warrant close attention during any inspection. The vehicle will have required either a rear section repair or full system replacement to clear the major leak and the lambda sensor reading issues, and the fact that the exhaust was again flagged as noisy on the subsequent pass suggests either an economy-grade replacement part or residual joint wear. A prospective buyer should listen at start-up and during warm-up for any ticking, hissing, or blowing sounds, particularly from the rear box and pipe joints, and should inspect the system visually for blueing of components, soot deposits at joints, and the condition of any aftermarket clamps. It is also worth confirming exactly what work was carried out and retaining the invoice, as exhaust failures of this severity can recur if the underlying cause, such as a failing lambda sensor or engine running issues, was not addressed. The near and offside front suspension arm pin or bush advisories indicate that the front lower wishbone bushes are worn on both sides, which on a Picanto of this mileage is not unusual but warrants inspection of the inner and outer edges of the front tyres for uneven wear patterns such as feathering or inner-edge wear. On a test drive, listen for clonking over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and feel for any vagueness or knocking through the front end during direction changes. The dangerous rear tyre failure in January 2025, where the nearside rear tyre exhibited a structural bulge, suggests that tyre condition on the Picanto should be a priority inspection point. Even with replacements, tyres on a vehicle of this age are susceptible to sidewall perishing from UV exposure and time-related rubber degradation, and the recurring advisory for cracking on the offside rear tyre across 2024 and 2025 confirms this risk. All four tyres should be examined closely for hairline cracking in the sidewall grooves, tread depth, and manufacturing date stamps, with any tyre over six years old viewed with suspicion regardless of tread remaining. The battery insecurity minor defect raised on both January 2026 tests suggests the battery clamp or hold-down has been disturbed, and a buyer should verify the battery's age and state of charge, as a failing battery can produce voltage irregularities that trigger spurious warning lights, including the TPMS lamp noted on the latest advisory. Finally, despite the modest annual mileage, the eleven-year calendar age demands scrutiny of brake discs for corrosion pitting and lipping from standing exposure, the condition and date of the brake fluid, the coolant for replacement history, and the cambelt or timing chain interval, all of which are critical service items on a vehicle approaching its second decade of life regardless of how few miles it has covered.