CarCostCheck

KIA PICANTO (2012)

Running costs, common problems, and reliability data based on 23,459 real MOT tests in 2024.

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MOT Pass Rate

75%

Total Tests (2024)

23,459

Avg Mileage

64,866 mi

Est. Annual Cost

£1,490

Is the 2012 KIA PICANTO reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 7 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the KIA brand average of 86%.

At 12 years old, 75% of KIA PICANTOs from 2012 passed their MOT first time in 2024. That's based on 23,459 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 64,866 miles.

How does the 2012 KIA PICANTO compare?

Rank among all 2012 cars537th out of 685(top 78%)
Rank among all KIA models381th out of 472(top 81%)
vs national average-7% (82% avg)
vs 2012 cars average-3% (78% avg)
vs KIA average-11% (86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

The average 2012 KIA PICANTO has 64,866 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Best year to buy a KIA PICANTO?

The most reliable year is the 2022 model with a 94% MOT pass rate, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 66%. The 2012 sits between the two at 75%.

How much does a 2012 KIA PICANTO cost to run?

⛽Fuel (Diesel, 998cc)
£905
🏛️Road Tax
£30
🔧MOT Test
£55
🛠️Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£1,490
Per month£124/mo

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

KIA PICANTO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202294%58118,487 mi
202193%16,05617,202 mi
202092%14,78220,924 mi
201990%25,92725,468 mi
201890%26,08031,324 mi
201787%21,49036,325 mi
201684%20,56140,782 mi
201582%22,30546,768 mi
201481%24,34352,546 mi
201377%21,89358,821 mi
201275%23,45964,866 mi
201173%18,88666,885 mi
201072%23,57867,207 mi
200971%23,14867,485 mi
200869%6,04674,547 mi
200768%5,06172,737 mi
200666%7,60573,767 mi
200566%6,56276,655 mi
200469%3,21777,908 mi

Checking a specific KIA PICANTO?

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About the 2012 KIA PICANTO

The 2012 KIA PICANTO is a city car with a 998cc diesel engine. 23,459 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 78% of 2012 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 64,866 miles at 12 years old, KIA PICANTO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 KIA PICANTO Fuel Costs

The modest 998cc diesel engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £905 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 2012 KIA PICANTO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,490 (£124/month), broken down as £905 fuel, £30 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 75% 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 2012 KIA PICANTO

At 12 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 23,459 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Alternatives to the 2012 KIA PICANTO

If reliability is your priority, there are 4 similar cars with a higher MOT pass rate. Here are comparable diesel cars with similar engines: