Kia Rio common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Kia Rio at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 98,452 UK MOT tests of the Kia Rio in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is track rod end (ball joint has slight play): recorded on 4% of tests of 2020–2022 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 40× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (16×); track rod end (ball joint has excessive play) (13×); exhaust system (mounting defective) (6.2×). The most common reasons a Kia Rio fails its MOT are track rod end (ball joint has excessive play); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm); ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Kia Rio
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Kia Rio than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Track rod end: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 2020–2022 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 4% | 0.1% | 40× | 1,194 |
| Ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2011–2013 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 4.8% | 0.3% | 16× | 2,580 |
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play | MOT fail | 2008–2010 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 11% | 0.8% | 13× | 2,460 |
| Exhaust system: mounting defective | Advisory | 2008–2010 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 5.6% | 0.9% | 6.2× | 1,279 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2012–2014 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 4.4% | 1.4% | 3.1× | 5,724 |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | MOT fail | 2013–2015 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 6.3% | 2% | 3.2× | 1,789 |
| Ball joint: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 2013–2015 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 5.8% | 1.7% | 3.4× | 659 |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | MOT fail | 2017–2019 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 6.4% | 1.7% | 3.8× | 329 |
Kia Rio by mileage (2014–2016 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 1,664 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (11%) | — |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 7,857 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (13%) | Brake discs: worn, but not excessively (4.9%, 2.2×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 10,425 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Brake discs: worn, but not excessively (4.2%, 1.6×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 6,870 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (21%) | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (15%, 1.6×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 3,068 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (22%) | Tyres (tread depth): tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.9%, 1.7×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 1,033 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (24%) | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn (5.5%, 3.2×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 338 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (22%) | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (17%, 1.8×) |
Kia Rio by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 648 | Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (4.7×) |
| 2006 | 1,145 | Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (9.1×) |
| 2007 | 1,405 | Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (9.6×) |
| 2008 | 2,327 | Track rod end: ball joint has slight play at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (11×) |
| 2009 | 5,248 | Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (13×) |
| 2010 | 6,563 | Track rod end: ball joint has slight play at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (12×) |
| 2011 | 7,231 | Ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (13×) |
| 2012 | 9,277 | Ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (16×) |
| 2013 | 10,189 | Ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (14×) |
| 2014 | 11,125 | Ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (11×) |
| 2015 | 11,408 | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (3.2×) |
| 2016 | 8,908 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (2.4×) |
| 2017 | 8,132 | Headlamp: not working on dipped beam at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (3×) |
| 2018 | 5,751 | Headlamp: not working on dipped beam at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (3.8×) |
| 2019 | 4,847 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2.5×) |
| 2020 | 3,391 | Track rod end: ball joint has slight play at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (17×) |
| 2021 | 103 | Track rod end: ball joint has slight play at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (40×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Kia Rio?
In 98,452 UK MOT tests of the Kia Rio in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is track rod end (ball joint has slight play): recorded on 4% of tests of 2020–2022 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 40× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (16×); track rod end (ball joint has excessive play) (13×); exhaust system (mounting defective) (6.2×). The most common reasons a Kia Rio fails its MOT are track rod end (ball joint has excessive play); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm); ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt).
Why do Kia Rios fail the MOT?
Across 98,452 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Kia Rio were track rod end (ball joint has excessive play) (11% of tests); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm) (4.1% of tests); ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (4.7% of tests).
At what mileage do Kia Rio problems start?
The clearest Kia Rio-specific issue, track rod end (ball joint has slight play), peaks against other cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) on 2020–2022 cars (4% of tests vs 0.1% for all cars that age).
Where does this Kia Rio data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 98,452 tests of the Kia Rio. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.