Kia Rio: what fails at MOT
129,000 MOT tests on the Kia Rio in 2024, counted. 30.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
30.7% of Kia Rio tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 27%, so the Rio does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (8.2% of tests), suspension (6.1% of tests) and brakes (6% of tests). It fails on brakes, wipers, washers and windscreen and steering more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,157 | 8.0% | 10.9% | 18,600 12,600 to 27,100 |
| 2020 | 4,207 | 13.4% | 11.5% | 23,200 15,900 to 31,800 |
| 2019 | 5,559 | 15.4% | 13.4% | 29,700 20,700 to 40,500 |
| 2018 | 7,004 | 15.6% | 15.6% | 37,100 26,400 to 50,300 |
| 2017 | 10,290 | 17.3% | 18.2% | 45,900 32,400 to 61,700 |
| 2016 | 11,598 | 21.9% | 21.3% | 49,200 35,100 to 65,300 |
| 2015 | 14,967 | 23.5% | 24.4% | 56,400 41,100 to 74,500 |
| 2014 | 14,576 | 32.7% | 27.7% | 66,600 49,200 to 85,800 |
| 2013 | 13,046 | 37.8% | 30.6% | 74,600 56,300 to 94,800 |
| 2012 | 11,814 | 40.0% | 33.4% | 82,200 62,200 to 104,200 |
| 2011 | 8,997 | 45.4% | 36.1% | 79,300 57,700 to 102,600 |
| 2010 | 8,100 | 45.0% | 38.6% | 83,200 59,900 to 108,000 |
| 2009 | 6,496 | 46.2% | 39.8% | 81,000 58,500 to 106,400 |
| 2008 | 2,777 | 51.1% | 41.5% | 89,900 66,300 to 113,300 |
| 2007 | 1,678 | 51.3% | 41.5% | 92,300 68,100 to 115,700 |
| 2006 | 1,298 | 51.9% | 42.4% | 91,400 66,200 to 115,600 |
| 2005 | 736 | 50.1% | 42.2% | 79,700 57,400 to 104,300 |
| 2004 | 423 | 54.4% | 42.3% | 67,100 49,700 to 85,700 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Kia Rio tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Rio | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 8.2% | 7.3% |
| Suspension | 6.1% | 6.0% |
| Brakes More than most | 6.0% | 4.4% |
| Tyres | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen More than most | 4.6% | 2.9% |
| Steering More than most | 3.2% | 1.3% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.7% | 2.0% |
| Body and structure | 1.4% | 2.1% |
The parts that fail most
- Track rod end2.9%
- Tyre2.9%
- Side light2.6%
- Washers2.4%
- Wipers2.3%
- Tyre tread2.3%
- Ball joint2.1%
- Brake pads1.8%
- Headlamp aim1.7%
- Ball joint dust cover1.7%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working2.5%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.3%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.3%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.2%
- Ball joint: excessively worn2.0%
- Ball joint dust cover: no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.7%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.6%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.4%
- Brake light: not working1.2%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.2%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge13.5%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.9%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.5%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement4.3%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened3.3%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material3.2%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively2.3%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
Check a Kia Rio's own MOT record
Looking at a Rio? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.