Kia Picanto — Buyer's Guide
Reliability, safety, running costs and what to check before you buy.
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Kia Picanto overview
With 221,758 currently licensed in the UK, the Kia Picanto is one of Britain's most popular cars.
Euro NCAP awarded the Picanto 4 stars in 2017, with 87% adult occupant and 64% child protection scores.
It has a 81.5% first-time MOT pass rate — above the UK national average of 72%. Common MOT failure areas include lighting, tyres, brakes.
Annual running costs are estimated at £2,671 for a typical 5-year-old example, breaking down to £223/month or 36p/mile.
NCAP Safety
2017
MOT Pass Rate
81.5%
120,000 tests
Monthly Cost
£223
est. annual total
New From
£26,000
Safety rating
Euro NCAP tested the Picanto in 2017 and awarded it 4 out of 5 stars.
Adult Occupant
87%
Child Occupant
64%
Pedestrian
54%
Safety Assist
47%
Safety recalls
There are 12 known DVSA recalls affecting the Kia Picanto. Enter a registration number to check whether a specific vehicle is affected.
R/2026/251
Fuel leakage may occur due to contact between the fuel line and the battery tray cable. For affected cars this may lead to damage of the fuel line and the risk of a fuel leak.
Build dates: 2020-09-07 to 2023-07-21
R/2026/251
Fuel leakage may occur due to contact between the fuel line and the battery tray cable. For affected cars this may lead to damage of the fuel line and the risk of a fuel leak.
Build dates: 2020-09-07 to 2023-07-21
R/2026/251
Fuel leakage may occur due to contact between the fuel line and the battery tray cable. For affected cars this may lead to damage of the fuel line and the risk of a fuel leak.
Build dates: 2020-09-07 to 2023-07-21
R/2026/251
Fuel leakage may occur due to contact between the fuel line and the battery tray cable. For affected cars this may lead to damage of the fuel line and the risk of a fuel leak.
Build dates: 2020-09-07 to 2023-07-21
R/2024/465
The HECU hydraulic electronic control unit of affected vehicles equipped with Anti-lock Brake Systems ABS and Electronic Stability Control ESC could leak internally and cause an electrical short over time. In extreme cases the HECU could overheat with a possible risk of an under bonnet fire.
Build dates: 2009-12-17 to 2011-01-11
+ 7 more recalls. Check a specific vehicle to see the full list.
Reliability & MOT
Based on 120,000 MOT tests, the Picanto has a first-time pass rate of 81.5% — above the UK national average of 72%.
This is a positive sign for reliability. The Picanto is less likely to have issues at MOT time than the average car on UK roads.
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Running costs
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Kia Picanto are estimated at around £2,671 per year, or £223 per month.
Fuel
£896
/year
Road Tax
£195
/year
Depreciation
£1,050
/year
MOT
£55
/year
Estimated annual running costs based on available data. Excludes insurance, parking, and finance costs. Actual costs depend on your driving habits and circumstances.
Fuel economy
The Picanto achieves a combined fuel economy of around 64.2 mpg (50.4 mpg urban, 76.3 mpg extra-urban).
| Variant | Fuel | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| PICANTO | PETROL | 50.4 mpg | 1.0L |
| PICANTO | PETROL | 55.4 mpg | 1.0L |
| PICANTO | PETROL | 54.3 mpg | 1.1L |
| PICANTO | PETROL | 43.5 mpg | 1.2L |
| PICANTO 3-DOOR | PETROL | 67.3 mpg | 1.0L |
| PICANTO 3-DOOR | PETROL | 60.1 mpg | 1.2L |
| PICANTO 5-DOOR | PETROL | 67.3 mpg | 1.0L |
| PICANTO 5-DOOR | PETROL | 53.3 mpg | 1.2L |
Depreciation
Starting from £26,000 new, a Kia Picanto typically retains about 56% after 3 years and 46% after 5 years.
| Age | Retained | Est. Value | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 75% | £19,500 | −£6,500 |
| 2 years | 64% | £16,600 | −£9,400 |
| 3 years | 56% | £14,600 | −£11,400 |
| 4 years | 50% | £13,150 | −£12,850 |
| 5 years | 46% | £12,100 | −£13,900 |
| 6 years | 43% | £11,250 | −£14,750 |
| 7 years | 41% | £10,550 | −£15,450 |
| 8 years | 39% | £10,050 | −£15,950 |
| 9 years | 37% | £9,550 | −£16,450 |
| 10 years | 35% | £9,050 | −£16,950 |
How common is the Picanto?
There are currently 221,758 licensed and 6,515 SORN Picantos in the UK (228,273 total). This makes it a very common vehicle on UK roads.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kia Picanto reliable?
The Picanto has a 81.5% first-time MOT pass rate based on 120,000 tests — above the UK national average of 72%. This suggests good overall reliability.
How safe is the Kia Picanto?
Euro NCAP awarded the Picanto 4 out of 5 stars when tested in 2017. It scored 87% for adult occupant protection, 64% for child occupant protection, 54% for vulnerable road users, and 47% for safety assist features.
How much does a Kia Picanto cost to run?
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Picanto are estimated at around £2,671 per year (£223/month). This includes fuel, road tax, depreciation, and MOT fees — but excludes insurance, servicing, and repairs.
Are there any recalls on the Kia Picanto?
There are 12 known safety recalls affecting the Picanto. These are issued by the DVSA when a safety defect is found. You can check if a specific vehicle is affected by entering its registration number.
How much does a new Kia Picanto cost?
A new Picanto starts from around £26,000. After 5 years, a typical example retains about 46% of its original value.
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