Kia Picanto (2018)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 26,080 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,630

£136/month

MOT Pass Rate

90%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

998cc Petrol

Great Choice

90% pass rate, £1,630/year to run. 8 points above average.

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Petrol998cc8 years old26,080 tests31k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 998cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,630

Per month£136/mo

Per week£31/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. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

90% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Kia brand average of 86%.

90% of MOT tests on Kia Picantos from 2018 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 6 years old. That's based on 26,080 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 31,324 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 models294th of 607(top half)

Rank among Kia models218th of 471(top half)

vs average of all models+8%(82% avg)

vs 2018 models average+1%(89% avg)

vs Kia average+4%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

31,324

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2018 Kia Picanto had 31,324 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-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 2018 scores 90%. 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

2016 · 998cc Petrol

£1,600/year

81%

-9%

Vauxhall Corsa

2016 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,003/year

81%

-9%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

-4%

Vauxhall Astra

2016 · 999cc Petrol

£1,600/year

85%

-5%

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About the 2018 Kia Picanto

The 2018 Kia Picanto is a city car. Our records list a 998cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 26,080 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. Among all models from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 31,324 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Kia Picanto owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2018 Kia Picanto Fuel Costs

The modest 998cc 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 2018 Kia Picanto?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,630 (£136/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2018 Kia Picanto

At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 93%. With 26,080 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.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

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 2018 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(2018)	90%	£1,175	£200	Grp 1-8	£1,630
Ford Fiesta(2016)	81%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600-£30
Vauxhall Corsa(2016)	81%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003+£373
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780+£150
Vauxhall Astra(2016)	85%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600-£30

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 2018 Kia Picanto

Is the 2018 Kia Picanto reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 90% of MOT tests on 2018 Kia Picantos ended in a pass, from 26,080 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2018 Kia Picanto cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,630 a year (£136 a month): £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 Kia Picanto?

90% of 26,080 MOT tests on the 2018 Kia Picanto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 294th of 607 models first registered in 2018 (top half).

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 2018 Kia Picanto?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2018 Kia Picanto is 31,324 miles, which is below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.