Kia Carens (2004)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 195 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,711

£226/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£325

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1793cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £2,711/year to run. 16 points below average.

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Petrol1793cc22 years old195 tests80k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1793cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£325

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,711

Per month£226/mo

Per week£52/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

66% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 16 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Kia brand average of 86%.

66% of MOT tests on Kia Carenss from 2004 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 20 years old. That's based on 195 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 79,548 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 models413th of 470(bottom 13%)

Rank among Kia models456th of 471(bottom 4%)

vs average of all models-16%(82% avg)

vs 2004 models average-6%(72% avg)

vs Kia average-20%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

79,548

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2004 Kia Carens had 79,548 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 83%, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 57%. The 2004 scores 66%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Kia Carens by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2019	83%	139	51,500 mi
2018	83%	2,703	52,577 mi
2017	82%	3,168	61,814 mi
2016	79%	3,019	70,759 mi
2015	79%	3,585	80,429 mi
2014	78%	3,824	87,028 mi
2013	77%	2,513	94,445 mi
2012	71%	188	91,805 mi
2011	69%	664	98,764 mi
2010	73%	601	99,736 mi
2009	69%	2,077	100,124 mi
2008	68%	1,934	102,459 mi
2007	66%	855	106,122 mi
2006	62%	554	95,903 mi
2005	57%	275	89,214 mi
2004	66%	195	79,548 mi
2003	63%	97	71,057 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Focus

2006 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

73%

+7%

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+5%

BMW 3 Series

2006 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,361/year

80%

+14%

Honda Jazz

2006 · 1339cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+5%

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About the 2004 Kia Carens

The 2004 Kia Carens is a family car. Our records list a 1793cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 195 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 13% of 2004 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 79,548 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Kia Carens owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 Kia Carens Fuel Costs

The 1793cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2004 Kia Carens?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,711 (£226/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 66% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Kia Carens Reliability Trend

Newer Kia Carenss pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 13 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2004 Kia Carens

At 22 years old, the Kia Carens is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2018 model has the highest pass rate at 83%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 22 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 66% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2004 Kia Carens stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Kia Carens(2004)	66%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,711
Ford Focus(2006)	73%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£483
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£483
BMW 3 Series(2006)	80%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,361-£350
Honda Jazz(2006)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£558

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2004 Kia Carens

Is the 2004 Kia Carens reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 66% of MOT tests on 2004 Kia Carenss ended in a pass, from 195 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 16 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2004 Kia Carens cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,711 a year (£226 a month): £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Kia Carens?

66% of 195 MOT tests on the 2004 Kia Carens ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 413th of 470 models first registered in 2004 (bottom 13%).

Which year Kia Carens has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 Kia Carens has the highest MOT pass rate at 83% and the 2005 the lowest at 57%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2004 Kia Carens?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2004 Kia Carens is 79,548 miles, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.