KIA PICANTO (2009)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 23,148 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,530
£128/month
MOT Pass Rate
71%
Average
Road Tax
£20
Based on CC/year
Insurance
Grp 1-8
999cc Petrol
Check Carefully
71% pass rate, £1530/year to run. 11 points below average.
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Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Based on 999cc
Higher estimate due to low pass rate
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
Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the KIA brand average of 86%.
At 17 years old, 71% of KIA PICANTOs from 2009 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 23,148 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 67,485 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
67,485
Average miles
125,800
Expected for age
The average 2009 KIA PICANTO has 67,485 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 125,800 miles for a 17-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 2022 model with a 94% MOT pass rate, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 66%. The 2009 sits between the two at 71%.
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
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About the 2009 KIA PICANTO
The 2009 KIA PICANTO is a city car with a 999cc petrol engine. 23,148 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2009, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.
With an average of 67,485 miles at 17 years old, KIA PICANTO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2009 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 £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2009 KIA PICANTO?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,530 (£128/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 71% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.
KIA PICANTO Reliability Trend
Newer KIA PICANTOs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 17 percentage points.
Buying a Used 2009 KIA PICANTO
At 17 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 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 94%. With 23,148 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2009 KIA PICANTO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Coil Pack Failure
Medium riskSmaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.
Rust and Corrosion
Watch outAt 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 outRubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 2009 KIA PICANTO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIA PICANTO(2009) | 71% | £955 | £20 | Grp 1-8 | £1530 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2011) | 75% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1722+£192 |
| FORD FIESTA(2008) | 72% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1722+£192 |
| VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2011) | 75% | £955 | £30 | Grp 5-15 | £1540+£10 |
| PEUGEOT 207(2010) | 70% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1722+£192 |
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.
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