Kia Picanto (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 23,459 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,794

£150/month

MOT Pass Rate

75%

Average

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

998cc Diesel

Check Carefully

75% pass rate, £1,794/year to run. 7 points below average.

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Diesel998cc14 years old23,459 tests65k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 998cc)

~55 mpg

£1,219

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£20

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£1,794

Per month£150/mo

Per week£35/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p 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

75% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 7 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Kia brand average of 86%.

75% of MOT tests on Kia Picantos from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 23,459 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 64,866 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models505th of 650(bottom 23%)

Rank among Kia models381st of 471(bottom 20%)

vs average of all models-7%(82% avg)

vs 2012 models average-3%(78% avg)

vs Kia average-11%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

64,866

Average miles

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Kia Picanto had 64,866 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, 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.

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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 2012 scores 75%. 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

2013 · 1399cc Diesel

£1,944/year

77%

+2%

Vauxhall Astra

2012 · 1248cc Diesel

£1,944/year

78%

+3%

Volkswagen Polo

2014 · 1199cc Diesel

£1,644/year

80%

+5%

Fiat 500

2014 · 1248cc Diesel

£1,944/year

78%

+3%

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About the 2012 Kia Picanto

The 2012 Kia Picanto is a city car. Our records list a 998cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 23,459 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 23% of 2012 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 64,866 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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 £1,219 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; 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 £1,794 (£150/month), broken down as £1,219 fuel, £20 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 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 2012 Kia Picanto

At 14 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 23,459 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

What the 2012 Kia Picanto Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 5,157 MOT tests on the 2012 Kia Picanto that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

Lights and electrics37%
Same age: 43%
Brakes37%
Same age: 22% (fails on this more often)
Suspension32%
Same age: 39%
Tyres18%
Same age: 19%

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · Kia Picanto reliability, common problems and years to avoid

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.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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.

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 2012 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(2012)	75%	£1,219	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,794
Ford Fiesta(2013)	77%	£1,219	£170	Grp 8-20	£1,944+£150
Vauxhall Astra(2012)	78%	£1,219	£170	Grp 8-20	£1,944+£150
Volkswagen Polo(2014)	80%	£1,219	£20	Grp 5-15	£1,644-£150
Fiat 500(2014)	78%	£1,219	£170	Grp 8-20	£1,944+£150

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 2012 Kia Picanto

Is the 2012 Kia Picanto reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 75% of MOT tests on 2012 Kia Picantos ended in a pass, from 23,459 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2012 Kia Picanto cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,794 a year (£150 a month): £1,219 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Kia Picanto?

75% of 23,459 MOT tests on the 2012 Kia Picanto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 505th of 650 models first registered in 2012 (bottom 23%).

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 2012 Kia Picanto?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Kia Picanto is 64,866 miles, 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.