2020 KIA Picanto 1.0L Petrol · PO07 NTY

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 19 November 2025 with no failures recorded, although three advisories were issued, all relating to the front steering assembly. Specifically, play was noted in both nearside and offside front steering rack inner joints, alongside slight play in the nearside front track rod end ball joint. Reviewing the three-year MOT history, the car has passed each annual test without any failure items, which suggests a broadly stable maintenance trend; however, the emergence of steering component wear advisories in the most recent test indicates that the front-end steering and suspension geometry is beginning to demand attention, even if the vehicle remains legally roadworthy at present. The progression from tyre-related advisories in 2023 to steering linkage concerns in 2025 is consistent with normal wear accumulation on a car of this age and mileage, but it does point to a pattern of front-end component ageing that a buyer should monitor closely going forward. With 38,368 miles recorded over approximately six years, the vehicle is averaging around 6,400 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a small city car such as the Kia Picanto in its age bracket. This is neither exceptionally low nor unusually high mileage, and there are no significant gaps in the recorded mileage history that would suggest prolonged standing periods, nor any evidence of excessive accumulation that would imply heavy commercial or motorway use. The annual usage rate suggests the car has seen regular but moderate service, which is generally beneficial for keeping drivetrain and suspension components lubricated and exercised, while still being low enough that major wear items such as clutches, timing chains, or turbochargers should not yet be approaching end-of-life. Given the steering rack inner joint and track rod end advisories recorded at the latest test, a prospective buyer should arrange to have the steering linkage assessed by a garage prior to purchase, as these components typically deteriorate progressively rather than failing suddenly. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end when traversing speed bumps, driveway kerbs, or uneven road surfaces, and pay particular attention to any vagueness, looseness, or wandering in the car’s straight-line tracking, as well as uneven or feathered wear patterns across the front tyres, which can indicate worn ball joints or deteriorated suspension bushes. The track rod end is a relatively straightforward replacement, but inner steering rack joint wear can be more costly if it progresses to requiring rack replacement rather than a joint overhaul, so obtaining a current quote from a specialist is prudent. Beyond the advisories on record, the age and mileage profile of this Picanto warrant a number of standard but important physical inspections. The 2023 advisories concerning tyres worn to 3.5mm on both front edges suggest that previous owners may have been prone to allowing tyres to run low, so a thorough check of the current set for age-related sidewall perishing or cracking is sensible, particularly as tyres older than five years can deteriorate even with adequate tread depth. Given that the car is now six years old, the 12V battery should be load-tested, as battery failures are common at this stage regardless of mileage, and brake discs may exhibit light surface corrosion or binding calipers from intermittent urban use, so confirm the car rolls freely on a quiet incline with the handbrake released. Finally, verify that the documented service history includes timely replacement of engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and spark plugs at the manufacturer’s recommended intervals, as calendar-based fluid degradation affects vehicles regardless of annual mileage, and request evidence of any recent steering or suspension rectification to ensure the recorded advisories have been properly addressed.