CarCostCheck

KIA NIRO (2021)

Running costs, common problems, and reliability data based on 18,645 real MOT tests in 2024.

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Total Tests (2024)

18,645

Avg Mileage

27,128 mi

Est. Annual Cost

£1,582

Is the 2021 KIA NIRO reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the KIA brand average of 86%.

At 3 years old, 92% of KIA NIROs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2024. That's based on 18,645 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 27,128 miles.

How does the 2021 KIA NIRO compare?

Rank among all 2021 cars1783th out of 3,373(top 53%)
Rank among all KIA models137th out of 472(top 29%)
vs national average+10% (82% avg)
vs 2021 cars average+0% (92% avg)
vs KIA average+6% (86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

The average 2021 KIA NIRO has 27,128 miles on the clock, which is above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

Best year to buy a KIA NIRO?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 93% MOT pass rate, while the 2017 model has the lowest at 88%. The 2021 sits between the two at 92%.

How much does a 2021 KIA NIRO cost to run?

Fuel (Hybrid, 1580cc)
£1,137
🏛️Road Tax
£190
🔧MOT Test
£55
🛠️Predicted Repairs
£200
Total per year£1,582
Per month£132/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

KIA NIRO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202291%1,25530,270 mi
202192%18,64527,128 mi
202093%21,13635,852 mi
201991%16,75953,226 mi
201891%12,10168,800 mi
201788%7,64763,774 mi
201689%2,14866,764 mi

Checking a specific KIA NIRO?

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About the 2021 KIA NIRO

The 2021 KIA NIRO is a small family car with a 1580cc hybrid engine. 18,645 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested cars 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 27,128 miles at 3 years old, KIA NIRO owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2021 KIA NIRO Fuel Costs

The 1580cc hybrid engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current hybrid prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). As a hybrid, real-world fuel costs will vary significantly depending on how much electric-only driving you do.

What does it cost to own a 2021 KIA NIRO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,582 132/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £190 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 92% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

KIA NIRO Reliability Trend

The KIA NIRO has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2021 KIA NIRO

At 3 years old, this is still relatively fresh. You may find examples with remaining manufacturer warranty. Depreciation is slowing but hasn't bottomed out yet. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 93%. With 18,645 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Alternatives to the 2021 KIA NIRO

If reliability is your priority, there are 2 similar cars with a higher MOT pass rate. Here are comparable hybrid cars with similar engines: