Free printable checklist
What to Look For When Buying a Used Kia Picanto
What to check on a used Picanto, including the GT, what a problem looks like, and when to walk away.
Covers
- TA 2016–2017
- JA 2017 on
Or get a checklist built for the exact Picanto you're looking at:
Last updated
Common Problems on a Used Kia Picanto
The most commonly reported problems on a used Kia Picanto are a hesitant or jerky automatic gearbox, clutch wear from city and learner driving, glitchy infotainment screens and rusty brake lines. Many are first cars or city runabouts, so check for parking knocks and kerbed wheels too.
Which of these apply depends on the year and engine. Shufti works that out for a particular car from its listing.
Hesitant or Jerky Automatic Gearbox
Owners of automatic Picantos report hesitation when pulling away and jerky or slow gear changes, especially in stop-start traffic.
On the test drive, pull away gently from a stop several times, accelerate up a hill and drive through traffic. Feel for a pause before it moves, thumps between gears, revs flaring between changes, and a clunk into Drive or Reverse.
Ask when the gearbox fluid was last changed and whether any gearbox work or software updates have been done, with receipts. If it slips or thumps, have a mechanic check it before you buy.
Clutch Wear From City and Learner Driving
A manual Picanto that's spent its life in city traffic or teaching learners can have a worn clutch well before high kilometres.
Pull away on a slope and feel for judder. In 4th at 50 km/h, floor it: if the revs rise faster than the speed, the clutch is slipping. A clutch that bites right at the top of the pedal is near the end too.
A new clutch is a few-day job and a significant bill on a cheap car, so price it into your offer.
Infotainment Glitches
Owners of Picantos report touchscreens that freeze, reboot or lose the phone connection. It's an annoyance more than a danger, but on later cars the screen also runs the reversing camera and settings.
Connect your phone by Bluetooth and by cable (CarPlay or Android Auto, if fitted), make a call, play music and use the navigation. Select Reverse and check the camera comes up straight away and stays on.
A software update at a dealer sometimes fixes it; a replacement screen costs much more. Ask whether it's had either, and price a fault into your offer.
Rust on Brake Lines
The brake lines are metal pipes that run under the car to each wheel. Rust on them, more common on cars near the coast, can make them leak and the brakes fail.
With a torch, look along the underside for flaky, swollen or crusty metal pipes, especially near the rear wheels, and for wet patches. Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
Rusted brake lines must be replaced before the car is safe to drive. It's not a huge job, but get a quote and take it off the price.
Which Kia Picanto Years to Avoid?
No Kia Picanto year is one to avoid outright. Which problems a particular car has depends on its generation, its engine and how it was used, so judge the one in front of you rather than the year alone, starting with its recalls and reported faults (Shufti looks these up from the listing).
- TA (2016–2017). Most have done enough kilometres for wear items to come due: check the service history for regular servicing, and whether tyres, brakes and the battery need replacing.
- JA (2017 on). The current model. The newest may still have some new-car warranty left; on older ones, check the service history and whether tyres, brakes and the battery are due.
Which recalls and reported faults apply depends on the exact year and engine. Shufti works them out for the Picanto you're looking at, from its listing.
Kia Picanto Inspection Checklist
Tick it if it's fine. Cross it if it isn't, and note what you found so you can price it into your offer.
- Safety critical
- Affects how safely it drives or protects you in a crash. Best to have a mechanic check it before you buy.
- Negotiate
- Costs money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Get a quote and take it off the price.
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Before You Go
01
Exterior
02
Under the Bonnet
03
Underbody and Wheels
04
Interior and Electrics
05
Test Drive
06
Documentation
Stay Safe
Never go under a car held up only by a jack, and never open the radiator or coolant cap on a hot engine. Keep hands, hair and loose clothing clear of fans and belts when the engine is running, and do checks under the bonnet with it switched off where you can. On the test drive, hold a current licence, confirm the car is registered and insured, obey road rules, and only brake hard when the road behind is clear. Meet in a safe, public-facing place, take someone with you, and don't carry large amounts of cash to a viewing.
Take this checklist to the viewing.
Download the free PDFOr let Shufti tailor it to the car from the listing link, with PPSR and recall checks included.
Disclaimer. Shufti is not affiliated with or endorsed by Kia; Kia and Picanto are trademarks of Kia Corporation. Figures are counts from Shufti's analysis of official records and published reports, not a statement that any particular vehicle is affected. This checklist is general information only and is not professional, mechanical, legal or financial advice. It covers common checks, not every possible fault, and a car can pass every item here and still have problems. It is not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic, which is worth considering before you buy, especially if anything tagged Safety critical turns up. Repair costs vary widely; get your own quotes. Roadworthy, registration and transfer rules differ by state, so check with your state road authority. Private sales generally don't come with the consumer guarantees that apply when you buy from a dealer. You use this checklist at your own risk and, to the extent permitted by law, Shufti accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury arising from its use.
What This Guide Can't Tell You About the Picanto You're Looking At
2+
recalls on Picantos built since 2016
7
common faults reported on Picantos built since 2016
Money owing, stolen or a write-off?
A tidy car can hide all three.
What's each fault worth?
Shufti's negotiation coach turns it into leverage.
A Shufti inspection covers all of that, plus:
- Guided checks for the exact car you're inspecting
- PPSR and government recall checks included
- Crosschecks 3M+ recalls and owner complaints
- Spots issues from your photos and audio
- Test drive routes with turn-by-turn navigation
- Negotiation coach with repair cost estimates
Get Shufti on your mobile.
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Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
* Shufti analysis, October 2026, of official recall notices, complaints lodged by vehicle owners with vehicle safety regulators, and independent reviews and owner forums. Faults are counted when two or more independent sources report them.
Buying a Used Kia Picanto: Questions Answered
Is a used Kia Picanto reliable?
It depends more on the particular car than the badge: how it was driven, loaded and serviced. Work through the commonly reported problems above, read the service history for servicing done on time, and run a PPSR check.
Which Kia Picanto years should I avoid?
No Kia Picanto year is one to avoid outright. Which problems a particular car has depends on its generation, its engine and how it was used, so judge the one in front of you rather than the year alone, starting with its recalls and reported faults (Shufti looks these up from the listing).
This checklist covers the TA (2016–2017) and JA (2017 on) Kia Picanto. Problems reported across them include a hesitant or jerky automatic gearbox, clutch wear, infotainment glitches and rusty brake lines.
How many kilometres is too many for a used Kia Picanto?
Kilometres matter less than how the car was driven and serviced. A high-kilometre car with a full service history can be a better buy than a low-kilometre one that's missed services or spent years on short trips. Check the history for regular oil changes, and find out whether any timing belt replacement is due, as it's a costly job.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a used Kia Picanto?
It's worth it if you can. A mechanic can spot hidden crash repairs and gearbox problems that are easy to miss on a short test drive. Most buyers don't book one, though, so whatever you decide, check the car thoroughly yourself with this checklist first. See Is a pre-purchase inspection worth it?
How do I check a used Kia Picanto for money owing or a write-off?
Run a PPSR check with the car's VIN. It shows whether there's finance owing and whether the car has been reported stolen or written off, and costs $2. Run it on the day you pay. See What a PPSR check covers and what it doesn't
Mechanic, Checklist or Shufti?
Here's how Shufti stacks up against your other options.
A mechanic's inspection is the most thorough, but most buyers go without one. Shufti makes sure you're well informed either way.
| Feature | Shufti $24.99 per check | Mechanic Inspection $250–350+ per booking | This Guide Free the basics, on paper |
|---|---|---|---|
Guided, model-specific checks | Yes | Yes | No |
PPSR and government recall checks | Yes | No | No |
Crosschecks over 3 million recalls and owner complaints | Yes | No | No |
Smart detection of issues from your photos and audio | Yes | No | No |
Test drive route planning and navigation | Yes | No | No |
Instant report generation | Yes | No | No |
Negotiation copilot and repair cost estimates | Yes | No | No |
Plain-English explanations, not jargon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
No booking or waiting required | Yes | No | Yes |
See it for yourself. Open the free sample report in the app, no sign-up needed.
Comparing Other Cars?
Looking at a different car? Use the general used car inspection checklist or browse every inspection checklist.