At a Glance
The Kia Rio has 11 identified common problems across 4 generations, with the Mk2 (2005-2011) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 1.1M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Kia Rio common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Kia Rio generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Kia Rio Generations
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Most Common Kia Rio MOT Failures
Every reason Kia Rio vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 10.05% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 8.96% |
| 3 | Number plate lamp not working | 7.03% |
| 4 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 6.62% |
| 5 | Tyre condition | 6.01% |
| 6 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.42% |
| 7 | Track rod end worn | 4.74% |
| 8 | Windscreen washer not working | 4.07% |
| 9 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.57% |
| 10 | Stop lamp not working | 3.51% |
| 11 | Driveshaft fault | 3.38% |
| 12 | Position lamp not working | 3.38% |
| 13 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 3.05% |
| 14 | Front lamp not working | 3.05% |
| 15 | Ball joint dust cover split | 2.66% |
| 16 | Exhaust system fault | 1.90% |
| 17 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.77% |
| 18 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.63% |
| 19 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.62% |
| 20 | Headlamp fault | 1.55% |
| 21 | Indicator fault | 1.14% |
| 22 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.13% |
| 23 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.93% |
| 24 | ABS fault | 0.91% |
| 25 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.73% |
| 26 | Parking brake condition | 0.66% |
| 27 | Airbag warning light on | 0.59% |
| 28 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.57% |
| 29 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.56% |
| 30 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.54% |
| 31 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.53% |
| 32 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.53% |
| 33 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.44% |
| 34 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.40% |
| 35 | Front suspension fault | 0.40% |
| 36 | Seat belt condition | 0.40% |
| 37 | Rear suspension fault | 0.30% |
| 38 | Rear lamp not working | 0.28% |
| 39 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.28% |
| 40 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.26% |
| 41 | Steering rack fault | 0.26% |
| 42 | Horn not working | 0.23% |
| 43 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.21% |
| 44 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.20% |
| 45 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.20% |
| 46 | Fog lamp not working | 0.18% |
| 47 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.18% |
| 48 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.18% |
| 49 | Brake pedal fault | 0.17% |
| 50 | Brake caliper fault | 0.15% |
| 51 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.14% |
| 52 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.13% |
| 53 | Engine oil leak | 0.13% |
| 54 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.12% |
| 55 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.11% |
| 56 | Chassis condition | 0.11% |
| 57 | Brake lever fault | 0.10% |
| 58 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.09% |
| 59 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.08% |
| 60 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.08% |
| 61 | Steering lock fault | 0.07% |
| 62 | Brake fluid leak | 0.07% |
| 63 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.07% |
| 64 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.07% |
| 65 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.07% |
| 66 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.07% |
| 67 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.06% |
| 68 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.06% |
| 69 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.05% |
| 70 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.05% |
| 71 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.04% |
| 72 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 73 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.04% |
| 74 | Power steering pump fault | 0.03% |
| 75 | Propshaft fault | 0.03% |
| 76 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.03% |
| 77 | Electrical switch fault | 0.02% |
| 78 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 79 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.02% |
| 80 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 81 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.02% |
| 82 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 83 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.02% |
| 84 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 85 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 86 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 87 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.02% |
| 88 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 89 | Transmission oil leak | 0.01% |
| 90 | Daytime running lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 91 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 92 | Drag link end worn | 0.01% |
| 93 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.01% |
| 94 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 95 | Passenger seat fault | 0.01% |
| 96 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.01% |
| 97 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.01% |
| 98 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 99 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 100 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 101 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 102 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 103 | Steering operation fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 105 | Steering arm worn | <0.01% |
| 106 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 108 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 109 | Body security fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Steering free play excessive | <0.01% |
| 111 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 112 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 114 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 115 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 116 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 117 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 121 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 123 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 125 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 127 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 134 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Handbrake cable fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 137 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 140 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 141 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 145 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 146 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 148 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 149 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 150 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 151 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 152 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 153 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 154 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 155 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 157 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 163 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 167 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 169 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 170 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 171 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 172 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 174 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 176 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 177 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 178 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 179 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 181 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 181 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Kia Rio MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Kia Rio, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Kia Rio problems?
Based on analysis of 1.1M Kia Rio MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 11 identified common problems across 4 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Rear suspension fault". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Kia Rio generation has the most problems?
The Kia Rio Mk2 (2005-2011) (2005–2011) has the highest number of identified common problems (7). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Kia Rio?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Kia Rio owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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