Photo: Jakub "flyz1" Maciejewski, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Five-seat city car with a 255-litre boot, offered with a 67 hp 1.0 and an 84 hp 1.2. Carverif considers it generally sound, especially with the manual gearbox, and What Car? identifies only the gearbox or clutch as a sensitive point. The BVMA5 automated manual gearbox (since 2020) should be tested at length, and the EGR valve recall covering early-2024 cars should be checked using the serial number.
- Reliability
- 5.0/5
- Indicative prices
- €8,890 – €17,899
- Monthly cost
- €354
- Euro NCAP
- 3/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 1.0 67 manuelle, 1.2 84 manuelle.
1.0 67 manuelle
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 67 hp · 5.1 L/100 km · 117 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
1.0 three-cylinder with a five-speed manual gearbox (Kia listing of January 2019).
1.2 84 manuelle
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 84 hp · Crit'Air 1
84 hp 1.2 four-cylinder with a five-speed manual gearbox (Kia listing of January 2019).
1.2 84 automatique 4 rapports
Petrol · Automatic · 84 hp · Crit'Air 1
84 hp 1.2 with a four-speed automatic gearbox, offered before the 2020 facelift.
1.2 DPi 84 BVMA5
Petrol · Automatic · 84 hp · Crit'Air 1
Since the 2020 facelift, the 84 hp 1.2 DPi can be fitted with the five-speed BVMA5 automated manual gearbox, which replaces the four-speed unit and increases the 0 to 100 km/h time from 13.7 s to 15.7 s according to Caradisiac. Test when cold.
Market prices
€8,890 – €17,899
Indicative range: 2017 to 2026, yearly medians of 350 online listings collected by AutoUncle (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Jerking of the BVMA5 automated manual gearbox
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingThe five-speed automated manual gearbox (BVMA5, also called AMT), introduced with the 2020 facelift, is the most frequently cited point of concern: Carverif advises a test when cold and refusing pronounced jerking, Carwow reports owners finding it jerky or hesitant and recommends the manual, and CarChecker describes it as jerky and slow. On the test drive, check starts and gear changes at low speed.
- Versions
- 1.2 DPi 84 BVMA5
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Engine stalling from a short circuit in the EGR valve (2024 recall)
Manufacturer recallA short circuit inside the EGR valve can stall the engine before the warning light comes on. Car-recalls.eu (Rapex alert 40/2024, Kia code 241099) concerns vehicles built between 11 January and 14 February 2024; Carverif mentions 2023-2024 JA Picantos with 1.0 and 1.2 engines. The scopes differ: have the serial number checked at a Kia dealer.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- 1.0 67 manuelle, 1.2 84 manuelle, 1.2 84 automatique 4 rapports, 1.2 DPi 84 BVMA5
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Kia Picanto”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €126 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €60 |
| Maintenance | €33 |
| Depreciation | €135 |
| Total per month | €354 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Consumption taken from a published range (depends on trim and tyres).
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€126
1.0 67 manuelle version: combined consumption of 5.1 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
5.1 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €126
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€60
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€33
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€135
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Kia Picanto III — inspection checklist
Things to check
- On a BVMA5 automated manual gearbox: test when cold, starts and manoeuvres at low speed; refuse pronounced jerking.
- For a Picanto built in late 2023 or early 2024: have Kia check the EGR valve recall using the serial number.
- Check the brakes and the suspension bushes, common wear items cited by CarChecker.
- Test the air conditioning, whose compressor CarChecker cites as the part most often reported.
- Check whether the 7-year or 150,000 km Kia warranty is still valid and transferable (Carwow).
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the car been subject to the EGR valve recall, with proof of the visit to Kia?
- If it has the automated manual gearbox, has it ever had a fault or any work done?
- Do you have the manufacturer's service book?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Toyota Aygo
II · 2014–2021
- Price
- €7,000 – €10,900
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
Photo: BarnCas, CC BY-SA 4.0
Citroën C1
II · 2014–2022
- Price
- €4,900 – €9,000
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Peugeot 108
I · 2014–2021
- Price
- €6,000 – €9,100
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fiat Panda
III · since 2012
- Price
- €4,500 – €19,000
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Renault Twingo
III (2014-2024, facelifted in 2019) · 2014–2024
- Price
- €5,890 – €12,299
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Electric
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Kia Picanto III (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
What Euro NCAP rating does the Kia Picanto III have?
Tested in September 2017, it achieved 3 stars with standard equipment (79% adults, 64% children, 54% pedestrians, 25% safety assist) and 4 stars with the optional driver assistance pack. The Car Expert notes that this rating expired in January 2024.
What is the boot capacity of the Kia Picanto III?
255 litres, up to 1,010 litres with the rear bench folded, for five seats.
Is it better to get a manual or automated Picanto?
Carverif considers the Picanto sound mainly with the manual gearbox and warns about jerking in the automated version; Carwow recommends the manual unless you need an automatic.
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