Kia Cerato

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 4 model years from 1,440 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

64%

Total Tests

1,440

Highest Pass Rate

2005 (66%)

Years Covered

About the Kia Cerato

The Kia Cerato was MOT tested 1,440 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 4 model years (2004 to 2007), with an average pass rate of 64%. That's 18 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data, so check the year-by-year data carefully before buying. Our records list diesel and petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2005 model has the highest pass rate at 66% from 610 tests. The 2004 model has the lowest at 61%. With just a 5 point gap, pass rates are similar across these years. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer Kia Ceratos pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 5 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (2004) averages 92,106 miles, while the newest (2007) averages 95,453 miles.

Compared to the Kia brand average of 86%, the Cerato is 22 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Kia models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1599cc)

£1,398

Road Tax

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,428

Per month£202/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2007 details

How reliable is the Kia Cerato?

vs average of all models-18% (82% avg)

vs Kia brand average-22% (86% avg)

Best to worst year spread5 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Kia Cerato by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2007	61%	90	95,453 mi
2006	66%	554	87,356 mi
2005	66%	610	87,519 mi
2004	61%	186	92,106 mi

Questions about the Kia Cerato

Is the Kia Cerato reliable?

Across its 4 model years in our data (2004 to 2007), the Kia Cerato averages a 64% MOT pass rate, from 1,440 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 18 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2005 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 66%.

Which year Kia Cerato has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2005 Kia Cerato has the highest MOT pass rate at 66%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 61%, a 5 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.