Used car guide

2014 Kia RIO: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 Kia RIOs, from 10,800 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

10,800MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)
6,500typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2014 Kia RIOs than on all cars registered in 2014.

  • Track rod ends2.2× usual
    Kia RIO
    9.7% All 2014 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 2.3% of all 2014 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover3.1× usual
    Kia RIO
    6.8% All 2014 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 0.9% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Sub-frame2.6× usual
    Kia RIO
    6.6% All 2014 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2014 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.

  • Side repeaters4.3× usual
    Kia RIO
    3.9% All 2014 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.6% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

  • Ball joint1.7× usual
    Kia RIO
    7.3% All 2014 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 2.3% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Coil springs: 0.4% here, against 6.8% of all 2014 cars. Shock absorbers: 0.9% here, against 5.7% of all 2014 cars.

By area

The share of 2014 Kia RIO MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Suspension
    32% 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
    32% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    23% 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
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    6% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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%
20139,587Brakes 34%
20128,599Suspension 38%
20116,386Suspension 53%
20105,435Suspension 57%
20094,180Suspension 57%
20081,662Suspension 61%
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 2014 Kia RIOs registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score