2009 · 15 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2009 Kia Rio MOT pass rate and common faults

4,715 MOT tests in 2024. 54.3% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

93Below average
Passed first time54.3%
Failed or needed repairs45.7%
Typical mileage at test80,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 4,715 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play11.7%
  2. Position lamp: not working8.8%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.3%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.9%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
    188 marked dangerous
  6. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.9%
  7. Stop lamp: not working2.2%
  8. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.2%
  9. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.1%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics27.1%
  2. Suspension18.8%
  3. Brakes15.8%
  4. Steering14.3%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)11.3%
  6. Tyres9.1%
  7. Body & chassis5.8%
  8. Emissions & leaks2.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.0%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn15.6%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure14.5%
  4. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened12.6%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded11.5%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 Kia Rio?

In 2024, 54.3% of 2009 Kia Rio cars passed their MOT first time, across 4,715 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Kia Rio?

The most common failure reasons were track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; position lamp: not working; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2009 Kia Rio reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 93, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).