The picture
Picanto Zest: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 572 MOT tests, the Picanto Zest returns 92.7% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a defective wiper blade. Wipers that don't clear the screen and windscreen damage round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 14,384, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
Wiper blade defective
19 occurrences · 3.3% of tests
- 02
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
8 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
- 03
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
3 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 04
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
3 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 05
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
2 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 06
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
2 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 07
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
2 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 08
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
2 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 09
A tyre seriously damaged
2 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 10
Number plate inscription missing or illegible
1 occurrences · 0.2% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 3 failures
£120–£250
If every one of this Picanto Zest's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
Bosch Aerotwin wiper blades
Cheap wipers fail the test on smear streaks. Bosch Aerotwins last a winter and clear a screen properly.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
Brake pad measurement gauge
Testers fail pads under 1.5mm. A wear gauge tells you if you've got two months left or two weeks.
Search Amazon UK
Buying or keeping a Picanto Zest?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Picanto Zest and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.