Kia Cerato (2005)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 610 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,427

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

2000cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £2,427/year to run. 16 points below average.

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Diesel2000cc21 years old610 tests88k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2000cc)

~48 mpg

£1,397

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,427

Per month£202/mo

Per week£47/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p 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 Ceratos from 2005 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 19 years old. That's based on 610 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 87,519 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2005 models448th of 504(bottom 12%)

Rank among Kia models453rd of 471(bottom 5%)

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

vs 2005 models average-6%(72% avg)

vs Kia average-20%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

87,519

Average miles

140,600

Expected for age

The average 2005 Kia Cerato had 87,519 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 140,600 miles for a 19-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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

Volkswagen Golf

2007 · 1896cc Diesel

£2,227/year

73%

+7%

Vauxhall Astra

2007 · 1686cc Diesel

£2,227/year

71%

+5%

Honda Civic

2007 · 2204cc Diesel

£2,641/year

72%

+6%

Audi A3

2007 · 1595cc Diesel

£1,944/year

75%

+9%

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About the 2005 Kia Cerato

The 2005 Kia Cerato is a family car. Our records list a 2000cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 610 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 12% of 2005 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 87,519 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Kia Cerato owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2005 Kia Cerato Fuel Costs

The 2000cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,397 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; 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 2005 Kia Cerato?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,427 (£202/month), broken down as £1,397 fuel, £275 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 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 2005 Kia Cerato

At 21 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.

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.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

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 88k 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 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 2005 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(2005)	66%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,427
Volkswagen Golf(2007)	73%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227-£200
Vauxhall Astra(2007)	71%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227-£200
Honda Civic(2007)	72%	£1,676	£410	Grp 25-38	£2,641+£214
Audi A3(2007)	75%	£1,219	£170	Grp 12-25	£1,944-£483

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 2005 Kia Cerato

Is the 2005 Kia Cerato reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 66% of MOT tests on 2005 Kia Ceratos ended in a pass, from 610 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 2005 Kia Cerato cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,427 a year (£202 a month): £1,397 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 2005 Kia Cerato?

66% of 610 MOT tests on the 2005 Kia Cerato ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 448th of 504 models first registered in 2005 (bottom 12%).

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 2005 Kia Cerato?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2005 Kia Cerato is 87,519 miles, which is below the expected 140,600 miles for a 19-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.