Comparison · small hatchbacks

Peugeot 208 vs Kia Rio: which is more reliable?

The Kia Rio does better at the MOT, with a score of 97 against 94 for the Peugeot 208, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 291,950 real MOT tests in 2024.

Peugeot 208

94Below average
MOT tests195,002

Kia Rio

97Below average
MOT tests96,948

By age

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

Age at testPeugeot 208Kia Rio
3–5 years
97Below average
101About average
6–9 years
94Below average
103Above average
10–14 years
91Well below average
92Below average
15+ years–
90Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearPeugeot 208Kia Rio
202187.8%92.0%
202081.4%86.3%
201981.4%84.4%
201876.3%84.3%
201773.5%82.5%
201672.6%77.5%
201569.8%76.0%
201464.3%66.6%
201360.6%61.9%
201259.0%58.7%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaPeugeot 208Kia Rio
Lights & electrics14.114.3
Brakes6.612.6
Suspension5.910.1
Tyres6.37.8
Emissions & leaks8.42.8
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.96.8
Body & chassis8.22.1
Steering1.14.4

Peugeot 208: top failures

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.7%
  2. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.4%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
  4. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.0%
  5. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.6%
  6. Exhaust system: system insecure1.5%

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 Peugeot 208 or the Kia Rio?

The Kia Rio does better at the MOT, with a score of 97 against 94 for the Peugeot 208, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Peugeot 208 and Kia Rio can be compared?

Both were tested for 10 registration years (2012–2021). The Peugeot 208 had the higher pass rate in 1 of them and the Kia Rio in 9.

What fails most on each?

Peugeot 208: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; headlamp: not working on dipped beam. Kia Rio: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play.