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Official DVLA Record
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2012 KIA Picanto 1.0L Petrol · SW12 AAY

SW12 AAY

2012 KIA Picanto (1.0L, petrol). First registered 24 Apr 2012. Recorded mileage 58,951 miles. MOT valid until 28 Oct 2026. Taxed until 01 Oct 2026.

Make & Model
KIA PICANTO
Year / Origin
2012 · Aberdeen
Safety Recall
Unknown
MOT Status
Valid until 28 Oct 2026
Road Tax
Taxed (01 Oct 2026)
Recorded Mileage
58,951 mi
ULEZ Compliance
ULEZ Compliant (Euro 4+)
Fuel & Engine
Petrol · 1.0L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Valid
Valid until 28 Oct 2026
Tax Status
Taxed
Tax due 01 Oct 2026
Fuel Type
Petrol
Year
2012
Engine
998cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

This vehicle presents a stable roadworthiness profile with a clean record of mechanical health. The most recent test on 17 October 2025 at 58,951 miles resulted in a pass with no defects recorded. While the history shows two instances of initial failure followed by immediate passes on the same or next day, the lack of specific defect data suggests these were likely administrative errors or minor issues resolved instantly. The mileage is exceptionally low for a 2012 model, averaging roughly 4,211 miles per year. Between 2 October 2023 and 17 October 2025, the odometer climbed from 49,637 to 58,951 miles. This indicates a consistent usage pattern of approximately 4,600 miles per annum over the last two years, suggesting the car has not suffered from prolonged periods of standing which often lead to seized calipers or perished rubber seals. The absence of any advisories across multiple years is unusual for a fourteen year old vehicle. There are no recorded failures regarding suspension bushes, coil springs, or exhaust emissions. The record shows no mentions of structural corrosion or brake disc wear, which are common failure points for this age of Kia Picanto. A physical inspection should focus on the components the MOT record does not explicitly detail. Check the condition of the tyres and wiper blades for age-related cracking, as low-mileage cars often run on old rubber long after the tread has worn. Verify the service history for oil and filter changes to ensure the engine has been maintained despite the low annual mileage.
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SW12 AAY Key Findings

  • 5 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 17/10/2025
  • 58,951 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 2 historical MOT failures
  • 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
  • Recurring brakes items (2 mentions)

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

Updating live data

SW12 AAY MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 27 Sept 2026, 23:46
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2012 Kia Picanto (SW12 AAY) between October 2023 and October 2025.

The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.

The most recent test on 17 October 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.

Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (2 issues), Suspension (1 issue), Steering (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 2 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.

Recorded failure items include: “Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))”; “Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

SW12 AAY Mileage History

  1. 02/10/202349,637 mi
  2. 02/10/202349,637 mi
  3. 14/10/202453,929 mi+4,292 mi
  4. 16/10/202558,938 mi+5,009 mi
  5. 17/10/202558,951 mi+13 mi

Average of roughly 4,560 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.

Technical Specifications

ULEZ Compliant

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MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
75
/ 100 · Good
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Good

This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.

✓ Valid MOT
✓ Taxed
! Average MOT pass rate (60%)
! Older vehicle
Experian Provenance Check

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Experian Provenance Data

Vehicle Provenance Investigation

9 Key Registers

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OUTSTANDING FINANCE

Experian Register

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INSURANCE WRITE-OFF

MIAFTR Register

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POLICE STOLEN (PNC)

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SALVAGE & AUCTION

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IMPORTED RECORD

Import Register

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EXPORTED MARKER

Export Register

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SCRAPPED RECORD

Scrappage Register

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CERTIFICATE OF DESTRUCTION

Statutory CoD

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V5C LOGBOOK & KEEPERS

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Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.

Buying Score
68/100
Risk Level
Low
Low
Est. Annual Cost
£900-£1,150
Mileage
At 58,951 miles, this vehicle's mileage ...

Our Verdict

A sensible choice for city driving, prov

When inspecting this specific 1.0L Picanto, your priority should be confirming that the offside rear brake pipe corrosion noted in October 2025 has been properly addressed and not merely cleaned. Ask for receipts to prove the replacement or repair of the brake pipe and the offside front track rod end.

Because the 2023 MOT recorded a worn nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint, you should check the vehicle for any knocking sounds from the front suspension during a test drive. Ensure the steering feels precise and free from the play that caused the previous failure. Given the age of the vehicle, also check the condition of the tyres and headlamps, as these are common failure points for this model across the wider dataset.

The 998cc petrol engine is designed for efficiency, making it an economical option for urban environments. Expect relatively low insurance groups and tax bands typical for a small-capacity city car.

Maintenance costs for a Picanto are generally predictable, though you should budget for periodic replacement of suspension components like ball joints and track rod ends, as evidenced by this vehicle's history. Estimated annual running costs, including fuel, tax, insurance, and basic maintenance, sit in the mid-range for small petrol cars.

Specifically inspect the braking system; the October 2025 MOT failure highlighted a corroded offside rear brake pipe covered in grease. Ensure the area is clean and the pipework shows no signs of further degradation.

Secondly, examine the front suspension. With failures recorded for both a track rod end (2025) and a lower suspension arm ball joint (2023), it is vital to check for any play in the steering or unusual noises when turning the wheel or driving over bumps. Finally, check the tyres and lighting, as these are the most frequent failure reasons for the Picanto model aggregate.

This 2012 red Kia Picanto has covered 58,951 miles, which is higher than the model average of 4,787 miles per year. While it has had two MOT failures since 2023, the most recent test in October 2025 was a pass following repairs to the brake pipe and track rod end. The vehicle has demonstrated periods of defect-free testing, notably in 2023 and 2024.

The Kia Picanto shows an average MOT pass rate of 80.3% across the dataset, with common issues relating to tyres, headlamps, and anti-roll bars.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.

Data Sources

DVSA

Official MOT test logs & failure reasons

DVLA

Tax, registration & powertrain specs

Experian

Finance, stolen markers & total loss

AI Analysis

Historical fault & advisory patterns