CarCostCheck

KIA CARENS (2011)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 664 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,825

£152/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £1825/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Diesel1598cc15 years old664 tests99k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1598cc)

~55 mpg

£905
Road Tax

Based on 1598cc

£165
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£1,825
Per month£152/mo
Per week£35/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the KIA brand average of 86%.

At 15 years old, 69% of KIA CARENSs from 2011 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 664 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 98,764 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2011 cars579th of 615(top 94%)
Rank among KIA models431th of 472(top 91%)
vs national average-13%(82% avg)
vs 2011 cars average-8%(77% avg)
vs KIA average-17%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

98,764

Average miles

vs

111,000

Expected for age

The average 2011 KIA CARENS has 98,764 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 111,000 miles for a 15-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2018 model with a 83% MOT pass rate, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 57%. The 2011 sits between the two at 69%.

KIA CARENS by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201983%13951,500 mi
201883%2,70352,577 mi
201782%3,16861,814 mi
201679%3,01970,759 mi
201579%3,58580,429 mi
201478%3,82487,028 mi
201377%2,51394,445 mi
201271%18891,805 mi
201169%66498,764 mi
201073%60199,736 mi
200969%2,077100,124 mi
200868%1,934102,459 mi
200766%855106,122 mi
200662%55495,903 mi
200557%27589,214 mi
200466%19579,548 mi
200363%9771,057 mi

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About the 2011 KIA CARENS

The 2011 KIA CARENS is a small family car with a 1598cc diesel engine. 664 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 94% of 2011 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 98,764 miles at 15 years old, KIA CARENS owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2011 KIA CARENS Fuel Costs

The 1598cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £905 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2011 KIA CARENS?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,825 152/month), broken down as £905 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

KIA CARENS Reliability Trend

Newer KIA CARENSs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 12 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2011 KIA CARENS

At 15 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

Based on the 2011 KIA CARENS's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 99k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% 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 2011 KIA CARENS stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
KIA CARENS(2011)69%£905£165Grp 12-25£1825
FORD FIESTA(2013)77%£905£30Grp 8-20£1490-£335
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2013)85%£905£135Grp 12-25£1445-£380
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2013)79%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£98
VAUXHALL CORSA(2009)73%£905£30Grp 8-20£1490-£335

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Kia Models

Explore other Kia cars or similar models in the same category.

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