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Kia Picanto statistics

How many Kia Picantos are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 189,989 DVSA MOT tests.

Hatchback City car
Last updated
Records analysed
224,035 Picanto records (licensed and SORN)
Methodology
View methodology
  • Licensed in Great Britain 217,822 +3.1% on a year earlier
  • Declared SORN 6,213 Off the road, not taxed
  • MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 71.4% Cars of the same ages 73.0%
  • Rank by number licensed No. 35 of 1,159 models we cover
  • Licensed count At its peak highest since 2004
  • Average annual mileage 4,714 miles a year

How many Kia Picantos are left in Great Britain?

There were 217,822 Kia Picantos licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 6,213 declared off the road (SORN). That is the most on the road at any year end since 2004.

Kia Picantos licensed in Great Britain

Numbers are still rising: the latest count is the highest in this series.

Kia Picantos licensed in Great Britain at the end of each year
Year Licensed
2004 8,394
2005 20,003
2006 30,061
2007 36,705
2008 42,268
2009 58,687
2010 74,065
2011 85,413
2012 99,036
2013 111,861
2014 124,132
2015 134,804
2016 145,839
2017 156,145
2018 167,814
2019 180,701
2020 183,375
2021 189,595
2022 194,711
2023 204,527
2024 209,034
2025 216,179
2026 217,822

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Fuel type

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Kia Picanto MOT reliability

In 2025, 71.4% of Kia Picanto MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Kia Picantos tested pass 73.0% of the time, so the Kia Picanto does worse than average for its age, by 1.6 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 70.9%.

MOT first-time pass rate by age: Kia Picanto vs all cars

Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.

MOT first-time pass rate by vehicle age, Kia Picanto compared with all cars
Vehicle age Kia PicantoAll cars
3 years 88.4%89.5%
4–5 years 85.9%87.6%
6–7 years 83.5%83.0%
8–10 years 76.2%75.7%
11–14 years 63.4%65.5%
15–19 years 53.5%58.0%
20+ years 50.3%61.0%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Kia Picanto MOT failures

Brakes is the most common reason a Kia Picanto fails its MOT, appearing on 33.8% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 7.5% of Kia Picanto tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.

Most common MOT failure categories

Share of failed Kia Picanto MOT tests with at least one defect in each category
Defect category Share of failed tests
Brakes 33.8%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 32.0%
Suspension 24.2%
Tyres 22.6%
Visibility 21.4%
Body, chassis, structure 11.0%
Noise, emissions and leaks 10.3%
Steering 5.1%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Most common Kia Picanto MOT defects and advisories

The single most common reason a Kia Picanto failed its MOT in 2025 was “Parking brake efficiency below requirements”, on 12.1% of 54,329 failed tests. 50.4% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.

Most common reasons for failure

Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.

Most common specific MOT defects on failed Kia Picanto tests, 2025
Defect Share of failed tests
Parking brake efficiency below requirements Brakes 12.1%
Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 12.0%
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility 10.6%
Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side Brakes 7.2%
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility 7.0%
Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres 6.4%
Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension 5.5%
Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres 5.4%
Service brake performance: excessively binding Brakes 5.4%
Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension 5.1%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Most common advisories

Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.

Most common MOT advisories on Kia Picanto tests, 2025
Advisory Share of tests
Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres 14.5%
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres 13.6%
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes 8.4%
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes 7.1%
Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes 6.3%
Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension 4.5%
Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks 3.9%
Service brake performance: binding but not excessively Brakes 3.8%
Exhaust system: minor leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure 2.4%
Coil spring: corroded Suspension 2.4%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Kia Picanto by year

19 years of the Kia Picanto, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2015 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (73.7% passed first time) and the 2006 cars worst (47.6%).

Kia Picantos by year of first registration
Year Registered Left Pass rate All cars
2004 – 1,686 50.0% 57.9%
2005 – 3,146 49.4% 57.7%
2006 – 3,339 47.6% 56.9%
2007 – 2,252 50.5% 57.3%
2008 – 2,807 52.2% 57.0%
2009 – 11,816 54.0% 58.2%
2010 – 12,242 55.9% 59.3%
2011 – 10,017 57.2% 61.5%
2012 – 12,682 59.8% 63.6%
2013 – 12,344 64.1% 66.0%
2014 15,105 14,163 69.6% 69.1%
2015 13,864 13,444 73.7% 72.6%
2016 12,846 12,482 74.8% 75.6%
2017 13,455 13,087 80.2% 79.1%
2018 16,368 16,068 82.6% 81.8%
2019 17,513 17,259 84.2% 84.4%
2020 8,968 8,790 85.9% 86.9%
2021 10,914 10,707 86.1% 88.4%
2022 10,169 9,824 88.2% 89.4%

Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.

Kia Picanto annual mileage

The average Kia Picanto covers 4,714 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.

Average annual mileage by age

Average annual mileage of a Kia Picanto by vehicle age
Vehicle age Miles a year
4–5 years 5,226
6–7 years 5,033
8–10 years 4,812
11–14 years 4,609
15–19 years 4,188
20+ years 3,839

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Kia Picanto registrations over time

Registrations of Kia Picantos for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 17,559 in 2019. In 2025, 13,306 were registered.

Registered for the first time, by year

Kia Picantos registered for the first time in Great Britain, by year
Year First registrations
’01 0
’02 0
’03 0
’04 8,692
’05 12,410
’06 11,827
’07 6,049
’08 4,862
’09 16,454
’10 15,977
’11 11,966
’12 14,134
’13 13,489
’14 15,038
’15 13,939
’16 12,793
’17 13,482
’18 16,487
’19 17,559
’20 8,915
’21 10,811
’22 10,110
’23 13,755
’24 11,155
’25 13,306

Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated

Kia Picanto engine sizes and fuel types

Of the 220,087 Kia Picantos licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 63.1% have an engine of 901cc to 1,000cc, and 23.3% have an engine of 1,201cc to 1,300cc. The share with an engine of 1,001cc to 1,100cc has fallen from 38.7% in 2014 to 10.3%.

Engine sizes, end of 2025

DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.

Kia Picantos licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, by engine size
Engine size Share of those licensed
901cc to 1,000cc 138,867 licensed 63.1%
1,201cc to 1,300cc 51,328 licensed 23.3%
1,001cc to 1,100cc 22,723 licensed 10.3%
1,101cc to 1,200cc 7,167 licensed 3.3%
Other sizes 2 licensed 0.0%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated

Engine size and fuel together, end of 2025
Engine size Fuel Licensed Share
901–1,000cc Petrol 138,864 63.1%
1,201–1,300cc Petrol 51,326 23.3%
1,001–1,100cc Petrol 22,721 10.3%
1,101–1,200cc Petrol 7,167 3.3%

Engine sizes, 2014 to 2025

Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.

Kia Picantos licensed in the UK by engine size, share of each year’s total
Year 901–1,000cc1,201–1,300cc1,001–1,100cc1,101–1,200cc
2014 49.9%11.4%38.7%0.0%
2015 51.9%13.4%34.6%0.0%
2016 52.9%16.0%31.2%0.0%
2017 53.3%18.8%27.9%0.0%
2018 52.7%22.9%24.5%0.0%
2019 52.2%26.6%21.2%0.0%
2020 52.9%27.8%19.2%0.0%
2021 55.9%27.0%17.1%0.0%
2022 58.4%26.1%15.4%0.0%
2023 61.5%24.9%13.6%0.0%
2024 62.7%24.2%12.0%1.1%
2025 63.1%23.3%10.3%3.3%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated

United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.

Kia Picanto fuel economy and CO2

The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Kia Picanto from 2005, and still lists it. On the WLTP test (listings 2019 to 2026), official combined fuel economy for its petrol versions ranges from 42.2 to 58.9 mpg, with CO2 of 109 to 152 g/km. On the older NEDC test (listings 2005 to 2018), official combined fuel economy for its petrol versions ranges from 47.1 to 67.3 mpg, with CO2 of 99 to 143 g/km.

Official WLTP figures by engine and fuel, listed 2019 to 2026
Engine and fuel Combined mpg CO2 g/km Listed Euro standard Versions
1.0 petrol 48.7–58.9 109–133 2019–2026 Euro 6 to Euro 6d 71
1.2 petrol 42.2–51.4 122–152 2019–2026 Euro 6 to Euro 6d‑TEMP 34
Older NEDC figures, listed 2005 to 2018 (3 engine and fuel groups)
Official NEDC figures by engine and fuel, listed 2005 to 2018
Engine and fuel Combined mpg CO2 g/km Listed Euro standard Versions
1.0 petrol 55.4–67.3 99–123 2005–2018 Euro 3 to Euro 6d‑TEMP 48
1.1 petrol 47.1–58.8 114–143 2005–2010 Euro 3 to Euro 4 10
1.2 petrol 47.1–65.7 100–137 2011–2018 Euro 5 to Euro 6d‑TEMP 54

Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated

  • Official figures from laboratory type-approval tests. VCA says they may not be achieved in real-world driving, and should not be used to rank cars with similar figures.
  • NEDC figures (in VCA’s data until September 2018) and WLTP figures (from the 2019 guide) come from different tests, so they are shown separately and should not be compared.
  • Engine sizes are rounded to the nearest 0.1 litre. A version is one line in VCA’s data (description, gearbox, engine and fuel), counted once however many years it was listed. Matched from VCA’s model names “Picanto”, “Picanto MY20”, “Picanto MY22”, “Picanto MY25”. How we use VCA’s figures.

Kia Picanto safety recalls

DVSA lists 8 safety recalls for the Kia Picanto since 1992, the first in 2010. The most recent was launched on 24 July 2026.

Kia Picanto Possible Under Bonnet Fuel Leak

Launched 24 July 2026 DVSA recall R/2026/251 Manufacturer ref. 261054

Defect
​​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.​
Remedy
​​Carry out a visual inspection pipe if no damage re-route and secure the pipe. If damaged replace the pipe and re-route.
Vehicles affected
4,721 Picanto vehicles
Built
7 Sept 2020 to 21 Jul 2023

All 8 Kia Picanto recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates

A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Kia Picanto. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated

Compare the Kia Picanto with similar cars

Kia Picanto compared with similar models
Model Licensed Change on a year SORN Rank Main fuel
Kia Picanto 217,822 +3.1% 6,213 35 Petrol
Fiat 500 423,199 −2.0% 12,767 12 Petrol
Toyota Aygo 298,338 +0.8% 6,527 23 Petrol
Hyundai i10 274,746 +2.1% 5,271 24 Petrol
Ford Ka 152,598 −6.1% 27,773 55 Petrol

More Kia models

Data sources and methodology

Datasets used on this page
Figures Source Period Records Updated
Licensed and SORN counts Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of March 2026 224,035 Picanto records (licensed and SORN) 15 September 2026
Registered for the first time Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport 2001 to 2025 – 15 September 2026
MOT results and mileage Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Derived statistics UK Motoring 		2025 189,989 MOT tests 15 September 2026
  • Figures cover Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Northern Ireland is not included.
  • Licensed counts are vehicles with a current tax or exemption at the end of each year (or the latest quarter). SORN counts are shown separately.
  • First registrations count vehicles registered in Great Britain for the first time, including used imports.
  • Models are grouped by DVLA’s generic model name, so every generation and trim counts together.
  • MOT figures cover normal tests of cars aged three and over in 2025; retests are excluded. Age is rounded to the nearest year.
  • DVSA records the model name typed in at the test. We match those names to DVLA’s generic models, so a handful of tests may be counted under a close relative.
How we calculate these figures All data sources

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.