Is the 2020 KIA PICANTO reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 92% of KIA PICANTOs from 2020 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 14,782 tests. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2020 KIA PICANTO cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,405 (£117/month), including £955 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2020 KIA PICANTO?

The 2020 KIA PICANTO has a 92% MOT pass rate based on 14,782 tests in 2026. This ranks 1222 out of 2596 cars from 2020.

Which year KIA PICANTO is most reliable?

The 2022 KIA PICANTO has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%. The least reliable year is 2005 at 66%.

KIA PICANTO (2020)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2020 KIA PICANTO?

The average mileage for a 2020 KIA PICANTO is 20,924 miles, which is significantly below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 14,782 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,405

£117/month

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

998cc Petrol

Great Choice

92% pass rate, £1405/year to run. 10 points above average.

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Petrol998cc6 years old14,782 tests21k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 998cc)

~50 mpg

£955

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,405

Per month£117/mo

Per week£27/wk

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

92% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the KIA brand average of 86%.

At 6 years old, 92% of KIA PICANTOs from 2020 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 14,782 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 20,924 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2020 cars1222th of 2,596(top 47%)

Rank among KIA models138th of 472(top 29%)

vs national average+10%(82% avg)

vs 2020 cars average+0%(92% avg)

vs KIA average+6%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

20,924

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2020 KIA PICANTO has 20,924 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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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 2020 sits between the two at 92%.

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

2018 · 998cc Petrol

£1,400/year

90%

-2%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2019 · 1498cc Petrol

£1,582/year

92%

same

VAUXHALL CORSA

2018 · 1398cc Petrol

£1,732/year

85%

-7%

NISSAN QASHQAI

2018 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,550/year

87%

-5%

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About the 2020 KIA PICANTO

The 2020 KIA PICANTO is a city car with a 998cc petrol engine. 14,782 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2020, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 20,924 miles at 6 years old, KIA PICANTO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2020 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 £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 2020 KIA PICANTO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,405 (£117/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 92% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2020 KIA PICANTO

At 6 years old, the KIA PICANTO offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 94%. With 14,782 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2020 KIA PICANTO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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.

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 2020 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(2020)	92%	£955	£195	Grp 1-8	£1405
FORD FIESTA(2018)	90%	£955	£190	Grp 1-8	£1400-£5
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019)	92%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1582+£177
VAUXHALL CORSA(2018)	85%	£1137	£190	Grp 8-20	£1732+£327
NISSAN QASHQAI(2018)	87%	£955	£190	Grp 5-15	£1550+£145

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.