Kia Picanto (2008)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 6,046 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,950

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

999cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £1,950/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol999cc18 years old6,046 tests75k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 999cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£20

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£1,950

Per month£163/mo

Per week£38/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

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Kia brand average of 86%.

69% of MOT tests on Kia Picantos from 2008 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 16 years old. That's based on 6,046 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 74,547 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 models451st of 566(bottom 21%)

Rank among Kia models424th of 471(bottom 11%)

vs average of all models-13%(82% avg)

vs 2008 models average-4%(73% avg)

vs Kia average-17%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

74,547

Average miles

118,400

Expected for age

The average 2008 Kia Picanto had 74,547 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 118,400 miles for a 16-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 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 66%. The 2008 scores 69%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Kia Picanto by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2008 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

72%

+3%

Vauxhall Corsa

2010 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

74%

+5%

Peugeot 207

2010 · 1360cc Petrol

£2,153/year

70%

+1%

Honda Jazz

2009 · 1300cc Petrol

£2,153/year

78%

+9%

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About the 2008 Kia Picanto

The 2008 Kia Picanto is a city car. Our records list a 999cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 6,046 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 21% of 2008 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 74,547 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Kia Picanto owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2008 Kia Picanto Fuel Costs

The modest 999cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 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 2008 Kia Picanto?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,950 (£163/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Kia Picanto 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.

Buying a Used 2008 Kia Picanto

At 18 years old, the Kia Picanto 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 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 93%. With 6,046 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

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.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% 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 2008 Kia Picanto 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 Picanto(2008)	69%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,950
Ford Fiesta(2008)	72%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£203
Vauxhall Corsa(2010)	74%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£203
Peugeot 207(2010)	70%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£203
Honda Jazz(2009)	78%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£203

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 2008 Kia Picanto

Is the 2008 Kia Picanto reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 69% of MOT tests on 2008 Kia Picantos ended in a pass, from 6,046 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2008 Kia Picanto cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,950 a year (£163 a month): £1,175 fuel, £20 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 2008 Kia Picanto?

69% of 6,046 MOT tests on the 2008 Kia Picanto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 451st of 566 models first registered in 2008 (bottom 21%).

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% and the 2005 the lowest at 66%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2008 Kia Picanto?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2008 Kia Picanto is 74,547 miles, which is below the expected 118,400 miles for a 16-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.