Comparison · small hatchbacks

Nissan Micra vs Kia Rio: which is more reliable?

The Nissan Micra and Kia Rio are very close at the MOT: scores of 97 and 97. Pick on the condition and history of the actual car. Based on 335,312 real MOT tests in 2024.

Nissan Micra

97Below average
MOT tests238,364

Kia Rio

97Below average
MOT tests96,948

By age

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

Age at testNissan MicraKia Rio
3–5 years
101About average
101About average
6–9 years
96Below average
103Above average
10–14 years
100About average
92Below average
15+ years
95Below average
90Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearNissan MicraKia Rio
202191.2%92.0%
202088.0%86.3%
201983.4%84.4%
201877.2%84.3%
201771.7%82.5%
201675.6%77.5%
201573.9%76.0%
201469.6%66.6%
201366.5%61.9%
201263.0%58.7%
201161.7%54.6%
201060.5%55.2%
200959.6%54.3%
200858.9%49.3%
200755.2%48.8%
200654.5%49.6%
200551.3%50.8%
200451.8%47.8%
200351.6%50.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaNissan MicraKia Rio
Lights & electrics26.614.3
Suspension17.810.1
Brakes9.212.6
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.76.8
Tyres6.37.8
Emissions & leaks3.92.8
Body & chassis4.72.1
Steering1.74.4

Nissan Micra: top failures

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.8%
  2. Position lamp: not working3.7%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.2%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.0%
  5. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.8%
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.5%

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 Nissan Micra or the Kia Rio?

The Nissan Micra and Kia Rio are very close at the MOT: scores of 97 and 97. Pick on the condition and history of the actual car.

Which years of the Nissan Micra and Kia Rio can be compared?

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

What fails most on each?

Nissan Micra: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; position lamp: not working. Kia Rio: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play.