KIA RIO Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 5,853 MOT tests from 470 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 a Kia Rio before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

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

How reliable is the KIA RIO?

Based on 5,853 MOT tests from 470 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

470

MOT tests

5,853

Pass rate

76.6%

Median mileage

71,890 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 1,068 advisory comments and 109 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 396 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 211 advisory comments and 26 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 172 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 102 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))

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore MOT data includes 81 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 number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: FRONT REGISTRATION PLATE DETERIORATED BUT NOT LIKELY TO BE MISREAD (0.1 (B))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 80 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))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 79 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 chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE WINDSCREEN WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDSCREEN EFFECTIVELY (3.4 (B) (II))

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	6	19	84.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2020	5	22	90.9%	Track rod wear, Brake disc wear
2019	16	94	84%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2018	23	157	83.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2017	31	267	83.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	32	315	81.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	70	761	81.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	64	817	77.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013	64	946	73.9%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2012	59	925	74.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2011	25	436	72.2%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2010	18	320	76.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2009	12	235	71.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2008	8	178	71.9%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
2007	5	119	69.7%	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.
Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.
Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.
Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

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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