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Kia Rio Mk2 (JB) (2005-2010) reliability

At a glance

Kia Rio Mk2 (JB) built around 2010: about average at the MOT

Kia Rio Mk2 (JB) models built around 2010 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Looking at a Kia Rio Mk2 (JB) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

32% of MOT tests on Kia Rio Mk2 (JB) models built around 2010 ended in a fail (retests included), against 31% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Kia Rio Mk2 (JB) models built around 2010 involves the suspension.

Kia Rio Mk2 (JB)
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2005-2010HatchbackPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 18,791 tests of Rio models registered 2005-2010.

About 1 in 15 Rio Mk2 (JB) MOTs (7.4%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2010 (15 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 7,696 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 15 Rio Mk2 (JB) MOTs (7.2%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2010 (15 years old).

Based on 7,696 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk2 (JB) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
2,86931.7%
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
19033.2%

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 19 years old.

How the Rio Mk2 (JB) compares

At each age below, see how the Rio Mk2 (JB) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 51,067 tests across 11 Kia models, built around 2010 (15 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateKia average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
2,86931.7%
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
19033.2%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

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.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Rio Mk2 (JB).

  1. 1

    Ford Fusion

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.3%
    Dangerous
    5.8%

    Lower fail rate: 28.9%, against 31.9% for the Kia Rio Mk2 (JB), both built around 2010.

    9,586 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  2. 2

    Honda Jazz

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.8%
    Dangerous
    6.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    98%

    Lower fail rate: 25.5%, against 31.9% for the Kia Rio Mk2 (JB), both built around 2010.

    6 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    30,225 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  3. 3

    Nissan Note

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    31.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.9%
    Dangerous
    6.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.6%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 6.7%, against 7.2% for the Kia Rio Mk2 (JB).

    21,027 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  4. 4

    Chevrolet Aveo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    37.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    11.3%
    Dangerous
    8.1%

    No clear edge over the Kia Rio Mk2 (JB) on these figures.

    2,390 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

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.

How many are still registered

94%of all Kia Rio cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

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

1 of the 6 Rio Mk2 (JB) recalls covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical

Top concerns

  • Kia HECU fuse replacement

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

What has gone wrong on Rio Mk2 (JB) cars built around 2010

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 170 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
79%
Emissions
22%
Steering
9%
Bodywork
6%

Wear items

Lighting
68%
Brakes
66%
Tyres
55%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 39% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How Rio Mk2 (JB) cars have aged

How Rio Mk2 (JB) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%1113151719Age at MOTBuilt around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (6,684 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (6,419 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 31.3% (6,080 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 31.6% (5,515 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 31.8% (4,852 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 31.3% (4,969 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 31.4% (4,420 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.0% (3,969 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (3,567 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (3,057 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (2,608 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 34.3% (2,372 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 33.7% (2,043 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 35.6% (1,743 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 33.9% (1,400 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 34.1% (1,661 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 33.9% (1,412 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 34.0% (1,181 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 36.0% (964 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (697 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 35.4% (1,482 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 33.6% (1,186 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (956 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.5% (782 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 34.6% (621 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 35.4% (737 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 34.7% (533 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 34.0% (400 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 35.6% (320 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 33.2% (190 tests, 2025 data)2005
First registered around 2010First registered around 2009First registered around 2008First registered around 2007
How each part holds up as Mk2 (JB) cars age

How each part holds up as Mk2 (JB) cars age

The share of petrol cars built 2005-2008 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car17 years18 years19 years20 years
Suspension79%70%72%65%
Brakes66%64%65%66%
Emissions22%7%13%19%
Tyres55%62%68%50%
Lighting68%62%64%62%
DrivetrainNo figure3%7%43%
Bodywork6%4%7%12%
Steering9%9%6%6%
Corrosion39%28%29%17%

Based on petrol cars in the 2005-2008 build-year band, from 101 to 250 cars at each age.

Mk2 (JB) variants compared

Rio Mk2 (JB) variants built around 2010

The fail rate for each Rio Mk2 (JB) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • RIO31.2%5,554 tests

Diesel

  • RIO33.8%2,139 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Kia Rios of this age

This list covers every Kia Rio built around 2010, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk2 (JB) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    24.8%
    Advisory: 2,262Fail: 515 (19% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    24.0%
    Advisory: 2,359Fail: 227 (9% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Track rod end ball joint has slight play

    17.0%
    Advisory: 751Fail: 735 (49% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    16.5%
    Advisory: 1,648Fail: 208 (11% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    15.7%
    Advisory: 1,987Fail: 61 (3% of the times it was found)

Based on 7,696 tests

Looking at a Kia Rio Mk2 (JB) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2010 (15 years old), the Kia Rio Mk2 (JB) (2005-2010) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 7,696 15-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 18,791 MOT tests on Kia Rios first registered between 2005-2010. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.