KIA PICANTO (2021)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 16,056 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,405
£117/month
MOT Pass Rate
93%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 1-8
998cc Petrol
Great Choice
93% pass rate, £1405/year to run. 11 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
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
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the KIA brand average of 86%.
At 5 years old, 93% of KIA PICANTOs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 16,056 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 17,202 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
17,202
Average miles
37,000
Expected for age
The average 2021 KIA PICANTO has 17,202 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-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 2021 sits between the two at 93%.
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 2021 KIA PICANTO
The 2021 KIA PICANTO is a city car with a 998cc petrol engine. 16,056 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.
With an average of 17,202 miles at 5 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.
2021 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 2021 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 93% 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 2021 KIA PICANTO
At 5 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 16,056 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2021 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.
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 2021 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(2021) | 93% | £955 | £195 | Grp 1-8 | £1405 |
| FORD FIESTA(2019) | 91% | £955 | £190 | Grp 1-8 | £1400-£5 |
| VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582+£177 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2019) | 88% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 8-20 | £1732+£327 |
| AUDI A3(2019) | 92% | £955 | £190 | Grp 1-8 | £1400-£5 |
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.
Related Kia Models
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FORD FIESTA
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VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
2019 · 1498cc Petrol
VAUXHALL CORSA
2019 · 1398cc Petrol
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