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Kia Rio reliability by build year

Coverage 2005-present4 named generationssuperminiHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

Kia Rio built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Kia Rios built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Kia Rio by number plate

Key figure

14% of MOT tests on Kia Rios built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 14% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Kia Rios built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Kia Rio's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Rio's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Rio Mk4 (YB)

Mk4 (YB) (2017-present)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROLHYBRID ELECTRIC

13.6% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 7,421 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Rio Mk3 (UB)

Mk3 (UB) (2011-2016)

Average
DIESELPETROL

20.0% fail rate, built around 2016 (9 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 20.8%)

From 12,151 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Rio Mk2 (JB)

Mk2 (JB) (2005-2010)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

33.6% fail rate, built around 2008 (17 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.2%)

From 1,996 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL

31.0% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Likely between 25.4% and 37.3%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 229 MOT tests at this ageLimited data

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Kia Rio.

See every build year for the Kia Rio

Side-by-side

Kia Rio generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk4 (YB) (2017-present)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings13.6%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 7,421 MOT tests at this age
Mk3 (UB) (2011-2016)
Average
Average20.0%built around 2016 (9 years old)from 12,151 MOT tests at this age
Mk2 (JB) (2005-2010)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate33.6%built around 2008 (17 years old)from 1,996 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating31.0%likely between 25.4% and 37.3%built around 2004 (21 years old)from 229 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Rio, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Kia Rio fail rate by age

This chart combines every Kia Rio ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
4,9199.4%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
4,26012.3%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
4,35213.6%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
5,98713.8%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
7,42113.6%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
10,28717.5%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
12,15120.0%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
14,35722.6%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
14,07827.0%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
12,67129.0%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
10,84930.2%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
8,07331.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
7,69631.9%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
4,03433.2%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
1,99633.6%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,10233.6%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
90435.3%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
29533.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
22931.0%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
11235.7%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
8838.6%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 23 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Kia Rio stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Kia models

5th of 12

5th lowest fail rate of 12 Kia models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

15th of 84

15th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

13.6%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Kia Rios

These issues come from 7-year-old Kia Rios, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    17.3%
    Advisory: 1,885Fail: 141 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    13.2%
    Advisory: 1,417Fail: 171 (11% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    8.9%
    Advisory: 641Fail: 118 (16% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    5.0%
    Advisory: 468Fail: 10 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, but not excessively

    3.5%
    Advisory: 313Fail: 23 (7% of the times it was found)

Based on 7,421 MOT tests on 7-year-old Kia Rios, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Kia Rios notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres34%
  2. Other + Tyres18%
  3. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers15%
  4. Suspension + Tyres12%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 1,470 MOT tests on Kia Rio cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

94%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

6 recalls in all

4 of the 6 Kia Rio recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 2 more

Top concerns

  • Kia HECU fuse replacement
  • Potential fuel leak
  • Child locks on the rear doors may not operate

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Ford Ka

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.3%

    No clear edge over the Kia Rio on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    14,260 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Honda Jazz

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.8%
    Dangerous
    3.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    98%

    Lower fail rate: 10.2%, against 13.6% for the Kia Rio, both built around 2018.

    6 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    21,810 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Abarth 595

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5%
    Dangerous
    5.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.5%

    No clear edge over the Kia Rio on these figures.

    4,000 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Alfa Romeo Giulietta

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.8%
    Dangerous
    5.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    92.6%

    No clear edge over the Kia Rio on these figures.

    1,308 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Kia Rio across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has the 5th lowest fail rate of 12 Kia models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 7,421 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Kia Rio ever sold: 125,861 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 7,421 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.