Comparison · small hatchbacks

Citroen C3 vs Kia Rio: which is more reliable?

The Kia Rio does better at the MOT, with a score of 97 against 91 for the Citroen C3, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 287,266 real MOT tests in 2024.

Citroen C3

91Well below average
MOT tests190,318

Kia Rio

97Below average
MOT tests96,948

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testCitroen C3Kia Rio
3–5 years
102About average
101About average
6–9 years
94Below average
103Above average
10–14 years
87Well below average
92Below average
15+ years
89Well below average
90Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearCitroen C3Kia Rio
202190.8%92.0%
202089.1%86.3%
201984.7%84.4%
201879.8%84.3%
201775.0%82.5%
201669.4%77.5%
201566.9%76.0%
201463.9%66.6%
201359.2%61.9%
201254.9%58.7%
201152.9%54.6%
201051.5%55.2%
200950.4%54.3%
200851.2%49.3%
200751.4%48.8%
200652.3%49.6%
200549.9%50.8%
200449.7%47.8%
200348.6%50.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaCitroen C3Kia Rio
Lights & electrics24.914.3
Suspension13.410.1
Brakes8.912.6
Tyres7.47.8
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.76.8
Body & chassis8.62.1
Emissions & leaks5.42.8
Steering3.44.4

Citroen C3: top failures

  1. Stop lamp: not working3.6%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.4%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.2%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.6%
  6. Position lamp: not working2.4%

Kia Rio: top failures

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
  2. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.6%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.6%
  4. Position lamp: not working2.5%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.1%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.0%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Citroen C3 or the Kia Rio?

The Kia Rio does better at the MOT, with a score of 97 against 91 for the Citroen C3, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Citroen C3 and Kia Rio can be compared?

Both were tested for 19 registration years (2003–2021). The Citroen C3 had the higher pass rate in 6 of them and the Kia Rio in 13.

What fails most on each?

Citroen C3: stop lamp: not working; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Kia Rio: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play.