2010 Kia RIO: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2010 Kia RIO?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2010 Kia RIO than on all cars registered in 2010.

• Track rod ends4.7× usual
  Kia RIO

  23.6% All 2010 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 14.4%, against 2.5% of all 2010 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.

• Rigid brake pipes2.3× usual
  Kia RIO

  14.9% All 2010 cars

  6.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.1% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.6× usual
  Kia RIO

  16% All 2010 cars

  10.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 2.1% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Sub-frame1.7× usual
  Kia RIO

  8.9% All 2010 cars

  5.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.3% of all 2010 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.

• Wipers2× usual
  Kia RIO

  6.8% All 2010 cars

  3.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 2.3% of all 2010 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.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2010 Kia RIO MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2010 Kia RIO MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  54% 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.

• Tyres
  36% 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
  34% 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
  29% 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
  14% 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
  11% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2010 Kia RIO

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 4.7× as often on the 2010 Kia RIO as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2010 Kia RIO as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2010 Kia RIO as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?