Kia Picanto

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 19 model years from 311,580 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

79%

Total Tests

311,580

Highest Pass Rate

2021 (93%)

Years Covered

About the Kia Picanto

The Kia Picanto was MOT tested 311,580 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 19 model years (2004 to 2022), with an average pass rate of 79%. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol and diesel versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 93% from 16,056 tests. The 2005 model has the lowest at 66%. With a 27 point gap, the year you choose makes a real difference. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer Kia Picantos pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 16 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (2004) averages 77,908 miles, while the newest (2022) averages 18,487 miles.

Compared to the Kia brand average of 86%, the Picanto is 7 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Kia models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 998cc)

£1,177

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,632

Per month£136/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.88p petrol and 199.52p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 5 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2022 details

How reliable is the Kia Picanto?

vs average of all models-3% (82% avg)

vs Kia brand average-7% (86% avg)

Best to worst year spread27 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Kia Picanto by Year

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

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	94%	581	18,487 mi
2021	93%	16,056	17,202 mi
2020	92%	14,782	20,924 mi
2019	90%	25,927	25,468 mi
2018	90%	26,080	31,324 mi
2017	87%	21,490	36,325 mi
2016	84%	20,561	40,782 mi
2015	82%	22,305	46,768 mi
2014	81%	24,343	52,546 mi
2013	77%	21,893	58,821 mi
2012	75%	23,459	64,866 mi
2011	73%	18,886	66,885 mi
2010	72%	23,578	67,207 mi
2009	71%	23,148	67,485 mi
2008	69%	6,046	74,547 mi
2007	68%	5,061	72,737 mi
2006	66%	7,605	73,767 mi
2005	66%	6,562	76,655 mi
2004	69%	3,217	77,908 mi

Questions about the Kia Picanto

Is the Kia Picanto reliable?

Across its 19 model years in our data (2004 to 2022), the Kia Picanto averages a 79% MOT pass rate, from 311,580 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 3 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2021 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 93%.

Which year Kia Picanto has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Kia Picanto has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 66%, a 27 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.