CarCostCheck

KIA CERATO (2006)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 554 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,057

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

2000cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £2057/year to run. 16 points below average.

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Diesel2000cc20 years old554 tests87k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2000cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Based on 2000cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,057
Per month£171/mo
Per week£40/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

66% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 16 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the KIA brand average of 86%.

At 20 years old, 66% of KIA CERATOs from 2006 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 554 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 87,356 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2006 cars530th of 575(top 92%)
Rank among KIA models455th of 472(top 96%)
vs national average-16%(82% avg)
vs 2006 cars average-7%(73% avg)
vs KIA average-20%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

87,356

Average miles

vs

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2006 KIA CERATO has 87,356 miles on the clock, 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?

The most reliable year is the 2005 model with a 66% MOT pass rate, while the 2007 model has the lowest at 61%. The 2006 sits between the two at 66%.

KIA CERATO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200761%9095,453 mi
200666%55487,356 mi
200566%61087,519 mi
200461%18692,106 mi

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About the 2006 KIA CERATO

The 2006 KIA CERATO is a family car with a 2000cc diesel engine. 554 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 92% of 2006 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 87,356 miles at 20 years old, KIA CERATO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2006 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 £1,037 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 2006 KIA CERATO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,057 171/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 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

The KIA CERATO has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 0 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2006 KIA CERATO

At 20 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2005 model has the highest pass rate at 66%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2006 KIA CERATO'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.

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 87k 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 2006 KIA CERATO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
KIA CERATO(2006)66%£1037£265Grp 18-32£2057
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2007)73%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£330
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2007)71%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£330
HONDA CIVIC(2007)72%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£7
AUDI A4(2008)78%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£330

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.

Related Guides

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