Used car guide

2005 Kia RIO: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Kia RIOs, from 369 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 369 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

369MOT tests in 2025
49%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
4,000typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Kia RIOs than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Track rod ends2.6× usual
    Kia RIO
    16% All 2005 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.9%, against 2.6% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Wheel bearings3.1× usual
    Kia RIO
    11.4% All 2005 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 1.4% of all 2005 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.

By area

The share of 2005 Kia RIO MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    55% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    43% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    40% 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
    37% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    19% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    16% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Kia RIO?

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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%
2004198Lights and electrics 47%
2003106Brakes 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Kia RIOs registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score