Used car guide

2021 Kia RIO: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Kia RIOs, from 3,649 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,649MOT tests in 2025
87%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
6,300typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for wipers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2021 Kia RIOs than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Wipers2.2× usual
    Kia RIO
    8.2% All 2021 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 2.4% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Track rod ends13× usual
    Kia RIO
    3.9% All 2021 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.1% of all 2021 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.

By area

The share of 2021 Kia RIO MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    23% 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.

  • Brakes
    11% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Suspension
    5% 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
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a Kia RIO?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20224,657Tyres 15%
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%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2021 Kia RIOs registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score