Kia Cerato (2004)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 186 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,428

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

61%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1599cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

61% pass rate, £2,428/year to run. 21 points below average.

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Petrol1599cc22 years old186 tests92k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1599cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,428

Per month£202/mo

Per week£47/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

61% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 21 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Kia brand average of 86%.

61% of MOT tests on Kia Ceratos from 2004 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 20 years old. That's based on 186 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 92,106 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 models454th of 470(bottom 4%)

Rank among Kia models467th of 471(bottom 2%)

vs average of all models-21%(82% avg)

vs 2004 models average-11%(72% avg)

vs Kia average-25%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

92,106

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2004 Kia Cerato had 92,106 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 2005 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 66%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 61%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Kia Cerato by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Focus

2006 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

73%

+12%

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+10%

BMW 3 Series

2006 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,361/year

80%

+19%

Honda Jazz

2006 · 1339cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+10%

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About the 2004 Kia Cerato

The 2004 Kia Cerato is a small family car. Our records list a 1599cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 186 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 4% of 2004 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 92,106 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Kia Cerato owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 Kia Cerato Fuel Costs

The 1599cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 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 Cerato?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,428 (£202/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 61% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Kia Cerato 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.

Buying a Used 2004 Kia Cerato

At 22 years old, the Kia Cerato 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.

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.

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 92k 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 61% 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 Cerato 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 Cerato(2004)	61%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428
Ford Focus(2006)	73%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£200
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£200
BMW 3 Series(2006)	80%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,361-£67
Honda Jazz(2006)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£275

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 Cerato

Is the 2004 Kia Cerato reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 61% of MOT tests on 2004 Kia Ceratos ended in a pass, from 186 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 21 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2004 Kia Cerato cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,428 a year (£202 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 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 Cerato?

61% of 186 MOT tests on the 2004 Kia Cerato ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 454th of 470 models first registered in 2004 (bottom 4%).

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% and the 2004 the lowest at 61%. 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 Cerato?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2004 Kia Cerato is 92,106 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.