Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto (2021)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 851 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,630

£136/month

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

998cc Petrol

Great Choice

92% pass rate, £1,630/year to run. 10 points above average.

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Petrol998cc5 years old851 tests13k 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

92% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Kia brand average of 86%.

92% of MOT tests on Kia Picanto X-Line S Autos from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 851 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 13,299 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 models1893rd of 3,336(bottom half)

Rank among Kia models154th of 471(top half)

vs average of all models+10%(82% avg)

vs 2021 models average+0%(92% avg)

vs Kia average+6%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

13,299

Average miles

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto had 13,299 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-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 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 2021 model has the lowest at 92%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	98%	45	12,474 mi
2021	92%	851	13,299 mi
2020	93%	165	16,764 mi
2019	92%	956	19,441 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2019 · 998cc Petrol

£1,630/year

91%

-1%

Volkswagen Golf

2019 · 1498cc Petrol

£1,853/year

92%

same

Vauxhall Corsa

2019 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,003/year

88%

-4%

Audi A3

2019 · 999cc Petrol

£1,630/year

92%

same

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About the 2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto

The 2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto is a city car. Our records list a 998cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 851 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model matches that benchmark.

With an average of 13,299 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto 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 2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto?

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 92% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto Reliability Trend

The Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.

Buying a Used 2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto

At 5 years old, the Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost.

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.

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 2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto 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 X-Line S Auto(2021)	92%	£1,175	£200	Grp 1-8	£1,630
Ford Fiesta(2019)	91%	£1,175	£200	Grp 1-8	£1,630same
Volkswagen Golf(2019)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853+£223
Vauxhall Corsa(2019)	88%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003+£373
Audi A3(2019)	92%	£1,175	£200	Grp 1-8	£1,630same

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 2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto

Is the 2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 92% of MOT tests on 2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Autos ended in a pass, from 851 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 10 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto 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 2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto?

92% of 851 MOT tests on the 2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 1893rd of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (bottom half).

Which year Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto has the highest MOT pass rate at 93% and the 2021 the lowest at 92%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto is 13,299 miles, which is below the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.