Kia Picanto Zest (2021)
Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 67 MOT tests in 2024.
Annual Cost
£1,630
£136/month
MOT Pass Rate
96%
Excellent
Road Tax
£200
Standard rate/year
Est. Insurance
Grp 1-8
998cc Petrol
Great Choice
96% pass rate, £1,630/year to run. 14 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Standard rate (from April 2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
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
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 14 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Kia brand average of 86%.
96% of MOT tests on Kia Picanto Zests from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 67 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 17,281 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
17,281
Average miles
22,200
Expected for age
The average 2021 Kia Picanto Zest had 17,281 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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About the 2021 Kia Picanto Zest
The 2021 Kia Picanto Zest is a city car. Our records list a 998cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 67 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 21% of all 2021 models for MOT pass rate.
With an average of 17,281 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Kia Picanto Zest owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2021 Kia Picanto Zest 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 Zest?
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 96% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
Buying a Used 2021 Kia Picanto Zest
At 5 years old, the Kia Picanto Zest offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. Note: with only 67 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.
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 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 Zest 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 Zest(2021) | 96% | £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 Zest
Is the 2021 Kia Picanto Zest reliable?
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 96% of MOT tests on 2021 Kia Picanto Zests ended in a pass, from 67 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.
How much does a 2021 Kia Picanto Zest 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 Zest?
96% of 67 MOT tests on the 2021 Kia Picanto Zest ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 669th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (top 21%).
What is the average mileage for a 2021 Kia Picanto Zest?
The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Kia Picanto Zest is 17,281 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.
Related Kia Models
Explore other Kia cars or similar models in the same category.
Kia Sportage
2016 · 1700cc Diesel
Kia Picanto
2018 · 998cc Petrol
Kia Ceed
2012 · 1591cc Diesel
Ford Fiesta
2019 · 998cc Petrol
Volkswagen Golf
2019 · 1498cc Petrol
Vauxhall Corsa
2019 · 1398cc Petrol
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