Comparison · small hatchbacks

Hyundai i20 vs Kia Rio: which is more reliable?

The Hyundai i20 does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 97 for the Kia Rio, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 222,338 real MOT tests in 2024.

Hyundai i20

100About average
MOT tests125,390

Kia Rio

97Below average
MOT tests96,948

By age

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

Age at testHyundai i20Kia Rio
3–5 years
101About average
101About average
6–9 years
105Above average
103Above average
10–14 years
96Below average
92Below average
15+ years
99About average
90Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearHyundai i20Kia Rio
202185.8%92.0%
202089.0%86.3%
201987.8%84.4%
201885.4%84.3%
201783.1%82.5%
201680.7%77.5%
201578.7%76.0%
201469.0%66.6%
201362.0%61.9%
201258.3%58.7%
201159.1%54.6%
201059.3%55.2%
200957.9%54.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaHyundai i20Kia Rio
Lights & electrics14.814.3
Brakes12.012.6
Suspension7.110.1
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.16.8
Tyres5.77.8
Steering1.14.4
Emissions & leaks2.42.8
Body & chassis1.92.1

Hyundai i20: top failures

  1. Position lamp: not working3.8%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.8%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
  6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.3%

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 Hyundai i20 or the Kia Rio?

The Hyundai i20 does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 97 for the Kia Rio, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Hyundai i20 and Kia Rio can be compared?

Both were tested for 13 registration years (2009–2021). The Hyundai i20 had the higher pass rate in 11 of them and the Kia Rio in 2.

What fails most on each?

Hyundai i20: 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.