Used car guide

2008 Kia RIO: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Kia RIOs, from 1,662 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,662MOT tests in 2025
51%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,200typical miles a year
3.6×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Kia RIOs than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Track rod ends3.6× usual
    Kia RIO
    19.9% All 2008 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.7%, against 2.5% of all 2008 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.

  • Sub-frame2.3× usual
    Kia RIO
    17.9% All 2008 cars
    7.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Braking performance2.1× usual
    Kia RIO
    13.2% All 2008 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 2.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Number plates1.9× usual
    Kia RIO
    11% All 2008 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Brake lights1.8× usual
    Kia RIO
    10.6% All 2008 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.9%, against 4.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Headlights: 4.8% here, against 10.7% of all 2008 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 1.7% here, against 7.2% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Kia RIO MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    61% 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.

  • Brakes
    41% 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
    38% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    37% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    12% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    11% 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.

Looking at a Kia RIO?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
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%
2007932Suspension 58%
2006727Suspension 58%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Kia RIOs registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score