2009 KIA Picanto 1.1L Petrol · WF09 VMM

The defining mechanical story of this 2009 Kia Picanto is a progressive build-up of underbody, suspension, and brake wear advisories that have escalated over the four years of recorded testing, culminating in a current borderline pass at the February 2026 test. The earliest recorded entry, in December 2022, showed a clean pass with no advisories, but by February 2024 corrosion on brake discs, a broken exhaust mount, a deteriorating exhaust flexi pipe, and an oil leak had all appeared, and these items have remained unresolved across subsequent tests. The pattern worsened in 2025 with the addition of corroded rear coil springs and a Major failure for a perished suspension arm ball joint dust cover, and the 2026 pass retains advisories for pitted front brake discs and worn front Macpherson strut top mount pins or bushes on both sides. While the car is currently roadworthy, the trajectory of defects shows an ageing chassis that is steadily accumulating component degradation which has not been addressed between tests. Against an age of roughly seventeen years, the recorded 89,429 miles equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 5,261 miles, which is notably low and points to either genuinely light use or extended periods of standing. There is a gap of around two years between the December 2022 test and the February 2024 test, and while the mileage progression cannot be verified within the MOT data alone, such gaps in testing combined with low annual mileage often correlate with underbody corrosion, seized brake mechanisms, perished rubber components, and degraded exhaust mounting rubbers, all of which are visible in the recorded advisory pattern. The repeated advisories for the exhaust flexi pipe and exhaust mounting across three consecutive tests suggest that the underfloor area has been subjected to road salt and moisture exposure without subsequent repair, and the persistence of these items over multiple annual tests indicates they have been deemed tolerable rather than rectified. For a prospective buyer, the front brake discs should be a primary inspection focus, as they have been flagged for corrosion and pitting at every test since February 2024. On a test drive, listen for any brake pedal judder under firm application, feel for vibration through the steering wheel when braking from higher speeds, and check the condition of the disc surfaces visually for lipping or uneven wear, as pitted discs that have been left unaddressed typically progress to require replacement. The front suspension also warrants close attention, with the 2025 Major failure for a perished lower arm ball joint dust cover and the current advisories for worn Macpherson strut top mount pins or bushes on both sides indicating that the front struts are beginning to deteriorate. On the road, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over bumps and speed humps, pay attention to any vagueness or wandering in the steering, and check that the front wheels do not show uneven inner-edge tyre wear, which would point to compromised suspension geometry. The rear suspension has its own history of concern, with a Major failure recorded in February 2024 for a serious fluid leak from the nearside rear shock absorber, alongside the more recent advisories for corrosion on both rear coil springs. The shocks and springs should be inspected for any residual fluid seepage, surface rust, or cracking, and the vehicle should be pushed down firmly at each corner on a level surface to confirm it rebounds once and settles rather than continuing to oscillate. The underfloor exhaust system requires careful examination from beneath the car, as the flexi pipe has been flagged as deteriorating since 2024 and the front exhaust mounting has been recorded as broken yet still adequately supported for three consecutive tests; left unrepaired, a deteriorating flexi will eventually split and produce an exhaust blow, particularly on cold starts. Finally, request evidence that the battery securing system has been corrected following the 2024 Major failure, and check the offside rear registration plate lamp, which has been recorded as inoperative at multiple tests, to confirm it is now functioning before purchase.