Comparison · small hatchbacks

Honda Jazz vs Kia Rio: which is more reliable?

The Honda Jazz does better at the MOT, with a score of 109 against 97 for the Kia Rio, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 426,270 real MOT tests in 2024.

Honda Jazz

109Well above average
MOT tests329,322

Kia Rio

97Below average
MOT tests96,948

By age

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

Age at testHonda JazzKia Rio
3–5 years
107Above average
101About average
6–9 years
112Well above average
103Above average
10–14 years
118Well above average
92Below average
15+ years
100About average
90Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearHonda JazzKia Rio
202193.4%92.0%
202092.4%86.3%
201991.6%84.4%
201889.4%84.3%
201788.5%82.5%
201687.8%77.5%
201585.0%76.0%
201482.1%66.6%
201380.1%61.9%
201276.6%58.7%
201174.4%54.6%
201068.8%55.2%
200965.8%54.3%
200857.0%49.3%
200755.5%48.8%
200655.0%49.6%
200553.7%50.8%
200453.6%47.8%
200353.8%50.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaHonda JazzKia Rio
Lights & electrics14.614.3
Brakes13.212.6
Suspension8.310.1
Tyres5.37.8
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.76.8
Emissions & leaks3.82.8
Steering0.84.4
Body & chassis2.62.1

Honda Jazz: top failures

  1. Position lamp: not working3.6%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.9%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.1%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.5%
  6. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength1.2%

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 Honda Jazz or the Kia Rio?

The Honda Jazz does better at the MOT, with a score of 109 against 97 for the Kia Rio, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Honda Jazz and Kia Rio can be compared?

Both were tested for 19 registration years (2003–2021). The Honda Jazz had the higher pass rate in 19 of them and the Kia Rio in 0.

What fails most on each?

Honda Jazz: position lamp: not working; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. Kia Rio: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play.