KIA CEED (2021)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 3,482 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,405
£117/month
MOT Pass Rate
90%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 1-8
998cc Petrol
Great Choice
90% pass rate, £1405/year to run. 8 points above average.
Check a specific KIA CEED
Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.
Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
Get an insurance quote for this KIA CEED
Compare quotes and find the best deal
Reliability Verdict
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the KIA brand average of 86%.
At 5 years old, 90% of KIA CEEDs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 3,482 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 27,730 miles.
Got a KIA CEED you're looking at?
Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.
How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
27,730
Average miles
37,000
Expected for age
The average 2021 KIA CEED has 27,730 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
Looking at a specific KIA CEED?
Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.
Best Year to Buy?
The most reliable year is the 2022 model with a 92% MOT pass rate, while the 2007 model has the lowest at 68%. The 2021 sits between the two at 90%.
KIA CEED by Year
| Year | Pass Rate | Tests | Avg Mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 98% | 48 | 21,656 mi | |
| 2022 | 92% | 506 | 37,134 mi | |
| 2021 | 90% | 3,482 | 27,730 mi | |
| 2020 | 89% | 3,198 | 33,988 mi | |
| 2019 | 88% | 12,981 | 45,586 mi | |
| 2018 | 88% | 17,466 | 52,574 mi | |
| 2017 | 85% | 14,953 | 61,416 mi | |
| 2016 | 84% | 16,329 | 69,144 mi | |
| 2015 | 82% | 19,157 | 75,249 mi | |
| 2014 | 78% | 19,745 | 82,286 mi | |
| 2013 | 75% | 20,387 | 93,476 mi | |
| 2012 | 72% | 22,061 | 99,894 mi | |
| 2011 | 71% | 13,247 | 103,130 mi | |
| 2010 | 70% | 15,316 | 102,853 mi | |
| 2009 | 70% | 12,978 | 101,223 mi | |
| 2008 | 69% | 8,732 | 107,723 mi | |
| 2007 | 68% | 4,664 | 110,191 mi |
Similar Cars to Consider
Check a Specific Kia Ceed
Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.
Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.
About the 2021 KIA CEED
The 2021 KIA CEED is a city car with a 998cc petrol engine. 3,482 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.
With an average of 27,730 miles at 5 years old, KIA CEED owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2021 KIA CEED Fuel Costs
The modest 998cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2021 KIA CEED?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,405 (£117/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
KIA CEED Reliability Trend
Newer KIA CEEDs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 16 percentage points.
Buying a Used 2021 KIA CEED
At 5 years old, the KIA CEED offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 92%.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2021 KIA CEED's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Coil Pack Failure
Medium riskSmaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 2021 KIA CEED stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIA CEED(2021) | 90% | £955 | £195 | Grp 1-8 | £1405 |
| FORD FIESTA(2019) | 91% | £955 | £190 | Grp 1-8 | £1400-£5 |
| VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582+£177 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2019) | 88% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 8-20 | £1732+£327 |
| AUDI A3(2019) | 92% | £955 | £190 | Grp 1-8 | £1400-£5 |
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.
KIA SPORTAGE
2016 · 1700cc Diesel
KIA PICANTO
2018 · 998cc Petrol
KIA NIRO
2020 · 1580cc Hybrid
FORD FIESTA
2019 · 998cc Petrol
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
2019 · 1498cc Petrol
VAUXHALL CORSA
2019 · 1398cc Petrol
Related Guides
In-depth articles relevant to the Kia Ceed.
Cheapest Cars to Insure in the UK: Insurance Groups 1-10
9 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Run in the UK: A Complete Cost Breakdown
11 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Run in 2026: Real Data from 19.8 Million MOT Tests
9 min read
ComparisonKia Sportage vs Nissan Qashqai 2026: Which is £427/yr Cheaper?
14 min read
Buying GuideFord Fiesta Common Problems (2026): What to Check Before Buying
13 min read
Check a specific KIA CEED
Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.
Premium History Check
Buying a KIA CEED? Our premium check covers:
- Stolen check (PNC)
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
- Previous owners count
Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data