Used car guide

2004 Kia RIO: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Kia RIOs, from 198 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 198 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

198MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
3,000typical miles a year
5.8×the usual rate for wheel bearings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Kia RIOs than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Wheel bearings5.8× usual
    Kia RIO
    22.2% All 2004 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 1.3% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.6× usual
    Kia RIO
    24.2% All 2004 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12.6%, against 2.9% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Engine oil leaks1.9× usual
    Kia RIO
    29.8% All 2004 cars
    15.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

By area

The share of 2004 Kia RIO MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    47% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    38% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    36% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Brakes
    36% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    34% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    25% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023200Tyres 8%
20224,657Tyres 15%
20213,649Tyres 23%
20203,392Tyres 27%
20194,853Tyres 28%
20185,718Tyres 30%
20178,022Tyres 31%
20168,810Tyres 32%
201511,334Tyres 32%
201410,800Tyres 33%
20139,587Brakes 34%
20128,599Suspension 38%
20116,386Suspension 53%
20105,435Suspension 57%
20094,180Suspension 57%
20081,662Suspension 61%
2007932Suspension 58%
2006727Suspension 58%
2005369Suspension 55%
2003106Brakes 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Kia RIOs registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score