KIA RIO Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 6,548 MOT tests from 527 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every KIA RIO has the same fault.

KIA RIO's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 599/999. The score was calculated from the average of every KIA RIO that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the KIA RIO.

KIA RIO (example)

Check the reliability of your Kia Rio

Enter your registration to see the MOT history for this car.

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Petrol	2020	917/999Outstanding	68,773 miles	1,556 vehicles
Petrol	2019	853/999Excellent	67,238 miles	3,150 vehicles
Diesel	2018	699/999Good	115,964 miles	816 vehicles
Petrol	2018	767/999Very good	67,245 miles	3,805 vehicles
Diesel	2016	654/999Good	100,776 miles	1,340 vehicles
Petrol	2015	725/999Very good	74,684 miles	5,867 vehicles
Diesel	2014	509/999Above average	79,217 miles	2,584 vehicles
Petrol	2014	624/999Good	87,875 miles	6,742 vehicles
Diesel	2011	495/999Average	78,841 miles	2,082 vehicles
Petrol	2011	544/999Above average	78,174 miles	4,701 vehicles
Diesel	2010	472/999Average	77,261 miles	1,514 vehicles
Diesel	2009	467/999Average	72,725 miles	878 vehicles
Petrol	2009	492/999Average	73,825 miles	2,182 vehicles
Diesel	2008	450/999Average	74,437 miles	869 vehicles
Petrol	2003	456/999Average	91,942 miles	2,280 vehicles
Petrol	2002	462/999Average	80,897 miles	889 vehicles

How reliable is the KIA RIO?

Based on 6,548 MOT tests from 527 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

527

MOT tests

6,548

Pass rate

76.6%

Median mileage

72,044 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every KIA RIO has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 673 out of 999.

Common KIA RIO MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 1,238 advisory comments and 104 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 447 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 248 advisory comments and 29 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Corrosion

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 203 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: FRONT SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 114 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Ball joint wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 101 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn or damaged ball joint. Track rod ends are counted with steering, not here.

What to inspect

Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT DUST COVER NO LONGER PREVENTS THE INGRESS OF DIRT (5.3.4 (B) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 91 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 85 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

KIA RIO MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2022	13	27	88.9%	Tyre wear
2021	8	27	81.5%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2020	6	27	88.9%	Track rod wear, Brake disc wear
2019	18	107	85%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2018	27	181	83.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2017	35	302	84.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	37	360	81.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	76	832	80.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2014	71	914	76.9%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013	73	1071	74.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2012	65	1018	74.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2011	30	511	73.8%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2010	21	380	75.8%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2009	13	255	72.2%	Tyre wear, Exhaust
2008	8	178	71.9%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
2007	6	140	71.4%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues

What to check when buying a used KIA RIO

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Ball joint wear. Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Buying a KIA RIO?

Common problems tell you what can affect KIA RIOs generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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